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Early Childhood Caries: Parents Must Know This Dental Problem

Early Childhood Caries
Early Childhood Caries: Parents Must Know This Dental Problem

Dental problems, mainly cavities and tooth decay, are visible after a certain age, most probably after the fifties. However, people who don’t take care of their teeth and eat food items harmful to their teeth might have dental problems in their mid-thirties or forties.   

On the other hand, people who are more health-conscious and take care of their teeth with proper oral hygiene can enjoy healthy teeth even in their fifties and sixties. However, children between the ages of 5 and 11 are also highly vulnerable towards various dental problems.    

Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the dental problems among children under age 6. In this article, we are going to discuss aboutearly childhood caries, its causes, stages of ECC, management of ECC and the right treatment for early childhood caries.  

What is Early Childhood Caries?

Early childhood caries or ECC is the decay of teeth among children under age six. However, it is also referred to as “baby bottle tooth decay” defined as the presence of one or more decayed or missing tooth surfaces in the primary tooth, which can further spread to molars and multiple surfaces.  

ECC can cause pain, discomfort or infections, and if untreated, can permanently damage the teeth. It is not a single cavity but a pattern of dental problems driven by exposure to sugars, poor oral hygiene, and bacteria.

Signs and Symptoms of Early Childhood Caries

The initial signs and symptoms of early childhood caries are white chalky lines or spots near the gum line on upper front teeth.Furtherwith progression, these dull, chalky white spots turn into brown or black cavities, causing tooth sensitivity and making it difficult or painful while chewing and speaking.  

ECC can also be spotted if there are any visible holes or pits in the teeth, or swelling or drainage around a tooth. This causes not only severe pain and discomfort but also leads to poor sleep among the children.  

Stages of Early Childhood Caries

The stages of ECC depend on the age of the children. However, children 71 months or younger typically progress through four main stages. Each stage shows a certain level of ECC condition with changed appearance and different symptoms. Let’s find out in detail what the 4 stages of dental caries indicate.  

Stage 1: White Spot Stage

This is the stage of initial demineralisation in which the appearance of teeth becomes faint, chalky white or opaque bands along the gum line that usually happens on the upper front teeth. The main symptoms of this stage are that the enamel feels rough but is not yet broken, and there is no feeling of pain.  However, at this stage, ECC can be fully controlled through fluoride treatments, with oral hygiene and healthy diets.

Stage 2: Decaying of Enamel

The appearance of teeth changes, the white spot becomes softer and starts breaking down with the formation of small and rough cavities. The symptoms of this stage are a discolouration level shifted to yellow or light brown due to the breakdown of enamel. And the child will start feeling the mild temperature sensitivity in the teeth.

Stage 3: Dentin Decay

This is the stage called damaged lesion in which cavities reach deeper and spread wider, entering into the softer layer of the teeth, or you can say beneath the enamel. The symptoms of this stage of ECC are cavities that usually turn dark brown or black, and your child will start to realise significant pain and discomfort while chewing food. And the sensitivity level becomes more sensitive towards mild hot or cold food and beverages.

Stage 4: Pulp Damage and Advanced Deterioration

This is the advanced deterioration stage in which the tooth decay becomes severe enough to reach the tooth’s nerve (pulp).  In various serious conditions, the crowns of the teeth are completely damaged, leaving only small root stumps. In this stage, your child can feel severe pain and swelling in the gums with the possibility of abscesses, making sleeping and eating difficult in daily life. 

Early Childhood Caries

What Causes Early Childhood Caries?

There are various factors causing the ECC, such as poor oral hygiene, frequent exposure to sugars and cavity-causing bacteria. This is usually linked to prolonged bottle-feeding, as the child’s sugar, added milk drinking habit attracts bacteria that eat such sugar and produce the acid that causes early childhood caries.  

Types of Early Childhood Caries

The ECC affects children 71 months or younger. However, based on severity and pattern, ranging from localised enamel defects to widespread destruction of almost all primary teeth, ECC is classified into three clinical types.   

Type 1: This is a mild, or you can say moderate, type of ECC in which white spots mainly affect the upper front teeth or back teeth. This can be caused by a combination of semisolid or solid cariogenic foods and a lack of proper oral hygiene.

Type 2: This is a moderate to severe type of ECC that affects the front surfaces of the upper incisors and possibly the molar teeth. However, the lower teeth can remain unaffected, and it can be caused by inappropriate bottle feeding, at-will breastfeeding or both, attracting the harmful bacteria at frequent levels.

Type 3: This is the severe type of ECC, aggressively spreads and affects most of the teeth, including lower, upper, front and back teeth that might not be affected in early stages. This is mainly caused by a heavy combination of high-sugar diets, poor oral hygiene, and prolonged exposure to fermentable carbohydrates.   

What is a Risk Factor for Developing Early Childhood Caries?

ECC is mainly caused by prolonged exposure to sugars and a lack of proper dental hygiene. However, the strongest risk factors include frequent consumption of sugary foods or drinks. Not using the fluoride toothpaste also causes high levels of decay-causing bacteria in the mouth. The development of ECC is mainly associated with daily lifestyle, genetics, and socioeconomic factors. Let’s find out the top risk factors.

Dietary & Feeding Habits: The frequent use of nighttime bottles to feed the child with a bottle containing milk, formula, or sugar-added juices. Apart from that, the child is eating sticky or sweet snacks like candies or gummies. And lastly, on-demand breastfeeding or bottle-feeding without proper teeth cleaning.

Oral Hygiene & Dental Care: If you don’t take care of your child’s teeth with proper dental care and oral hygiene, ECC can develop easily. Not brushing the child’s teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes, or not using fluoride-based toothpaste for brushing.  

Biological & Genetic Factors: Another risk factor for developing ECC can be due to the child being born with developmental defects of the tooth enamel. Apart from that, bacterial transmission is another major risk that can happen to the child from caregivers or siblings through shared utensils or kissing.

Socioeconomic & Environmental Factors: The people with low income or lower caregiver education levels are not able to afford the proper dental care, and are also at high risk of ECC. And the siblings of those who have a history of tooth decay are also more likely to be affected by ECC. 

How to Prevent Early Childhood Caries?

Prevention is better than cure, yes, preventing the ECC will not only help to control such dental problems in your children but also help them to avoid major dental problems in their lives. There are a few preventive measures you can follow to keep your child safe from ECC or any other dental problem.

Start Early: Whenever the first tooth erupts, start cleaning the tooth using the soft infant toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean the tooth and clean the gums with soft cloths.

Brushing Habits: The right brushing technique is very important to avoid ECC. You need to supervise your child or help them to properly clean their tooth and make sure they brush twice and do it for at least two minutes.

Avoid Bedtime Bottling: Never put the milk bottle in your kid’s mouth at bedtime or when going to sleep. You should also avoid sugar-containing juices, formula drinks or sweetened liquids at bedtime. Overnight, bacteria attack your kids’ teeth, causing tooth decay and ECC.  

Using the Open Cups: Afterattaining the age of one, you should encourage your child to drink milk with open cups that reduce the exposure of teeth to sugar and other such drinks.    

Limit the Sugar Intake: You should avoid using sugar in milk or any other such drinks to reduce the sugar intake and limit the exposure to the tooth that attracts bacteria, causing tooth decay or ECC.

Avoid Bacterial Transfer:  You should also avoid sharing the feeding utensils or toothbrushes with your child. Also, avoid licking pacifiers or direct kissing on the mouth of your kids as it increases the risk of transmitting the cavity-causing bacteria from adult to child’s mouth.

Fluoride Treatments: Make sure your child is getting enough fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel, but always consult the best dentist in Greater Noida or near your city to get professional fluoride treatments.   

Timely Visit to Dentist: Last but not least, you should keep visiting the best pediatric dentist in Greater Noida or a kids dentist near your city to get regular check-ups of children’s teeth.  

Treatment for Early Childhood Caries 

The treatment for early childhood caries depends on the tooth condition and stage of ECC. The Preventive & Non-Invasive Treatments are suitable for early stages, while arresting treatments and restorative treatments are suitable for the stage of active decay and advanced cavities, respectively. And for the last stage or severe ECC conditions, the advanced management treatment is recommended to cure this child’s dental problem. 

Fluoride Treatments: In this treatment procedure, a highly effective, professional application that remineralises weakened enamel and protects from further damage. For toddlers, who struggle with traditional dental treatments, topical liquid is used to arrest active cavities quickly without drilling. 

Restorative Care: In the atraumatic restorative and interim therapeutic restorations technique, decayed tooth tissue is removed softly using the hand instruments. And later filling is done with fluoride-releasing Glass Ionomer Cement to prevent the teeth from any further caries.   

Pulp Therapy: When decay in the tooth reaches to the nerve, but the tooth is still salvageable, pulpotomy, as pulp therapy, can be used to save such teeth from ECC. 

Fillings & Crowns: For other serious conditions, dental tooth fillings and crowns are used to fill the composite resin or glass Ionomer. And if the situation is critical or pre-formed, pediatric crowns are placed to restore full function and prevent the tooth from breaking or cracking.

Tooth Extraction: This is thelast stage when no dental treatment procedure is suitable to save the teeth damaged due to ECC. The tooth is extracted carefully while maintaining enough space for the growth of the future adult tooth in your child.   

Conclusion

Early childhood caries is a dental problem among children under the age of six, also known as baby bottle tooth decay, causing cavities and the decay of teeth. Starts from initial symptoms of white chalky lines or spots near the gum line, which can progress to a severe stage, damaging the tooth enamel and dentin. 

However, with proper oral care and dental hygiene like avoiding bottle feeding at bedtime, minimising sugar intake and proper brushing habits, ECC can be prevented to a certain level. And in severe conditions, taking the early childhood caries treatment is a must to avoid major dental problems among the kids.

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Is Oral Submucous Fibrosis Cancer? Symptoms & Best Treatment

Oral Submucous Fibrosis
Is Oral Submucous Fibrosis Cancer? Symptoms & Best Treatment

Oral diseases usually include various problems or ailments related to teeth or gums that are very common among people across the world. However, several other oral diseases can cause serious health issues. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is one of them that slowly tightens and hardens the tissues inside the mouth, making it difficult to chew or consume foods.       

And if it is ignored and untreated, it can cause oral cancer. So, right here we are going to discuss about this serious oral problem (OSMF), what its causes and symptoms are, whether it is cancerous and how to cure the OSMF with the best treatment for oral submucous fibrosis.   

Also Read: Which is Better Dental Implants or Dentures?

What is Oral Submucous Fibrosis?

Oral submucous fibrosis or OSMF is a chronic oral condition that affects the mucous lining of the mouth, characterised by stiffness of the oral tissues. Once such conditions happen, you will face difficulty in opening the mouth with a burning sensation and feeling of pain while eating or speaking.       

A serious oral condition affects the cheeks from inside with a progressive process hardening the tissues of the mouth that makes it very difficult to speak, chew food and feel pain. Though there are various reasons behind the OSMF, chewing of areca nut (betel nut) and tobacco products are the main causes.

What Causes Oral Submucous Fibrosis?

It is a disease caused by a chronic malignant condition that is usually caused by chewing the areca nut or betel nut (Supari in Hindi) or other tobacco based products. The arecoline in the nut causes excessive collagen production, and other ingredients like copper harden the tissues, causing such symptoms.

The main chemical, arecoline, when it enters the system, triggers the body to produce more collagen that is usually broken down and replaced, but excessive or constant chewing builds up, causing the OSMF. On the other hand, smoking and consuming alcohol increase the risk and accelerate tissue damage.

Submucous Fibrosis Symptoms

Sometimes at the initial stage, no such sign or symptoms are visible among such patients, but when it grows, you can notice various symptoms of OSMF as discussed below.     

Burning Sensation: This is an early sign that most people notice when submucous fibrosis starts. And you can feel such a burning sensation in your mouth, especially when consuming spicy food. 

Frequent Ulcer in Mouth: Recurrent ulcer or blister-like lesions in the mouth are another symptom of OSMF. Though such ulcer may appear and disappear, but it can be a sign of OSMF.   

Pale Mucosa: When you see the inner lining of the mouth become pale or light yellow or white, showing a veined appearance, it could be an indication of the OSMF. 

Dry Mouth or Excessive Salivation: If your mouth has more than required saliva or becomes frequently dry (xerostomia), you should not ignore it, as it could be a signal of oral submucous fibrosis.      

Cheek Tightness or Stiffness: This is one of the most indicative signs of this oral disease. Yes, when you feel tightness or a reduction in the flexibility in your cheeks, it could be a symptom of OSMF.  

Less Wide Mouth Opening: It is an advanced symptom of OSMF, but progressive in nature. When you are not able to open your mouth properly or widely, with restricted stretch, it is a signal of this oral disease. 

White Patches or Leukoplakia: Though it is an early sign, it should never be ignored, as it could be a serious indication of oral submucous fibrosis.     

Reduced Tongue Mobility: When you face difficulty moving your tongue or feel reduced mobility. However, there are various other similar symptoms you can use to detect the submucous fibrosis.     

Oral Submucous Fibrosis

How to Detect Oral Submucous Fibrosis?

To detect oral submucous fibrosis, you can keep in mind various symptoms listed above. However, to confirm the same, you need to go through a test or clinical examination by a medical expert, such as a dentist or an oral cancer specialist, who can better understand and diagnose this disease.

Apart from early to advanced symptoms like pale mucosa, reduced mouth opening, stiff tongue and lips, burning sensation and xerostomia with a history of areca nut chewing, there are various diagnostic procedures that can be performed to detect the oral submucous fibrosis.  

Biopsy and Ultrasonography are the popular diagnostic procedures used to detect the OSMF. And one of the best advantages of going through the diagnostic procedure is that when you go through these medical tests, it will help to know the stage of oral submucous fibrosis.

Oral Submucous Fibrosis Staging

Usually, the oral submucous fibrosis divided into four stages, which are characterised by the oral situation of the mouth and the malignant condition of the cheek. Based on the history of areca nut or tobacco habits and the clinical symptoms, it is classified into four stages.  

Oral Submucous Fibrosis Staging Clinical Features:

Stage 1 (Early): At this stage, a patient can feel inflammation with excessive salivation and blanching of the oral mucosa. While the slightly reduced mouth opening (>35 mm or >30 mm, depending on the classification system) could be considered normal. 

Stage 2 (Moderate): In this stage, along with the reduced mouth opening (between 20–35 mm), palpable fibrous bands appear in the buccal mucosa and/or oropharynx.

Stage 3 (Advanced): When submucous fibrosis is a severe condition, featuring stiff vertical bands limiting the mouth opening (between 10–20 mm), or the patient is facing a problem while eating or speaking.

Stage 4 (Very Advanced): This is a critical stage of oral submucous fibrosis in which mouth opening is restricted to less than 10–15 mm. And in this stage, 4A shows there is potential for malignant disorders like leukoplakia or erythroplakia, while in stage 4B, it means confirmed oral carcinoma (cancer).   

Is Oral Submucous Fibrosis Cancer?

Though oral submucous fibrosis is not considered cancer, it is a precancerous or potentially malignant condition of such critical disease. But it is a progressive disease with a chronic history of chewing areca nut and tobacco with burning sensation, stiffness in the cheek, pale patches in the mouth and reduced mouth opening.

Initially, it is not cancerous, but if it reaches the fourth stage or third stage and left untreated, there is a significant risk of turning the OSMF into oral cancer, which is also known as squamous cell carcinoma.     

Who are at the Risk?

Anyone having the habit of regularly chewing the betel quid, areca nut or betel nut is mostly at risk of Oral submucous fibrosis. Middle-aged people with a history of long years of chewing such nuts can have this oral disease, and if diagnosed at the third or fourth stage, it could be cancerous.

However, adults and young people who start chewing such products are also affected by the OSMF. And if ignored or not cured in a timely manner, with a progressive chronic history, it could become an oral cancer for anyone seriously affected by the various symptoms of OSMF.    

How to Cure Oral Submucous Fibrosis?

One of the best ways to cure this disease is when you notice any early sign of OSMF, you should immediately stop the habit of chewing the betel nuts or any such tobacco-based products. At the initial stage, you can control the growth of OSMF by improving your food eating habits, like adding various nutritious foods to your regular diet and follow try the natural treatment for oral submucous fibrosis.

Natural Treatment for Oral Submucous Fibrosis

To cure the early stage of OSMF, you can use Aloe Vera, Turmeric, Triphala, Spirulina, Lycopene and Ginkgo Biloba or Green Tea. Apart from this, you also need to maintain your oral hygiene and add vitamins A, C, and E-rich foods to your regular diet to promote healing. 

Meanwhile, to avoid the burning sensation around the affected area or triggering of burning in your mouth, you need to avoid consuming abrasive, hot or spicy food items. And if it has not healed with these natural remedies, you need to get the special treatment to cure the OSMF.  

Best Treatment for Oral Submucous Fibrosis

The treatment of oral submucous fibrosis is based on the oral condition and stage of the OSMF. From steroids and hyaluronidase injections to physiotherapy and surgery, the treatment is recommended as per the condition of submucous fibrosis in the mouth. 

Complete Quitting of Chewing Habit: Whatever the treatments of medicine you take to cure the OSMF, if you don’t quit the chewing of betel nuts and similar products completely, it cannot be cured.  

Intralesional Injections: These injections contain the corticosteroids combined with hyaluronidase, which helps to reduce the inflammation and soften fibrous bands.

Nutritional Supplements: The doctor will also recommend natural supplements and antioxidants such as Lycopene, Curcumin, and Aloe vera, along with Vitamin A, B-complex, and C to support the healing process. 

Physiotherapy: Exercising your mouth daily using the tongue depressors, props, or specialised devices or simply without such devices, will help to improve the mobility and a slight improvement in the mouth. 

Oral Surgery: The surgical process is done when the oral condition is severe or when the mouth opening reduced to less than 15 mm. In this process, the oral surgeon removes the fibrotic bands and uses various techniques like buccal fat pads, nasolabial flaps, or grafts to cover the affected area. However, in some cases, low-level laser therapy is also used to treat this oral disease in the severe conditions.       

Conclusion

Oral submucous fibrosis is not a cancer; it is an oral disease caused by regular habit or chewing the areca nut and can be cured with early-stage detection. However, people with progressive OSMF with a chronic history of chewing the betel nuts or areca nut and similar tobacco-based products that contain arecoline can cause cancer, especially if it is ignored or untreated in a timely manner.    

Leaving the habit of chewing areca nut, adding various food supplements enriched with Vitamin A, C, and E, and physiotherapy can easily cure theoral submucous fibrosis. But for the timely diagnosis and right treatment of the same, you need to visit your nearest best dentist in Greater Noida. Here, the dentist will diagnose the oral condition of your mouth and recommend the suitable treatment.       

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Root Canal Treatment or Tooth Extraction: Which is Better?

root canal treatment or tooth extraction
Root Canal Treatment or Tooth Extraction: Which is Better?

When your tooth nerve is damaged or not able to survive with filling or using any other dental procedures, you might think of removing the tooth from your mouth. However, losing the original tooth would be not only painful but also distressing due to losing the original one that can’t be replaced by an artificial tooth.

In such situations, if you don’t want to lose your tooth, the dentist will recommend you to get the root canal treatment (RCT), which can help you save your tooth. However, a few people still get confused about whether RCT can save their tooth or if removing the tooth is the permanent solution.

What is Tooth Extraction?

Tooth extraction or removal is the process of permanently removing the damaged or badly infected tooth from its socket in the jawbone. The dentists or dental surgeons perform this process using advanced tools to make sure it comes out completely from the roots, so that later on, a new tooth can be implanted. 

It is a simple and one-time visit dental treatment procedure, in which a dentist uses local anaesthesia to numb your gums around the tooth and extract the tooth. And after that, the surgical area is sterilised and cleaned properly to prevent any infection, with medicines prescribed to heal the surgical area.

What is Root Canal Treatment?

RCT is one of the most critical dental procedures used to prevent badly infected or damaged teeth. In this dental treatment process, the infected and inflamed pulp (nerve) is removed from inside the tooth, and then cleaned, and the inner chamber is disinfected to prevent the infection.

Also Read: 5 Signs of Infection Not to Ignore After Root Canal Treatment

Lastly, the suitable material is filled and sealed inside the space to make it strong and prevent any further infection. Basically, in RCT, the tooth nerves are permanently disconnected from the tooth so as not to feel any pain or discomfort while making it usable like a normal tooth.

Also Read: Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Treatment

Root Canal vs Extraction Pros and Cons

RCT and tooth extraction both have their own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s find out the pros and cons of both of them, so that you can decide which is better for you.  

root canal treatment or tooth extraction

Root Canal Treatment Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Getting the RCT to save your tooth will not only help you to save your precious tooth but also provide you with a natural tooth-like appearance with long-lasting performance.
  • It also prevent tooth from any further infection, cavity and risk of feeling the sensitivity. As the tooth nerves are disconnected, you will not feel any kind of sensation in your RCT-cured tooth.  
  • Apart from providing the natural chewing, biting and speaking experience, RCT also prevents your jawbone from weakening.   

Cons:

  • RCT is a critical and time-consuming dental procedure that requires multiple visits to the patient to complete. Compared to extraction, RCT need more time to recover or heal the treated area. 
  • And because of a complicated dental procedure, the cost of RCT is very high compared to tooth extraction. Some people can’t afford the cost of RCT, hence they prefer extraction.  
  • Due to a complicated surgical procedure, sometimes RCT need further treatment if an infection erupts or the patient faces any kind of other complications due to this dental process.   

Tooth Extraction Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • In dentistry, after tooth cleaning, it is one of the simplest and least complicated dental procedures. It can be performed and completed in one visit.    
  • Once your infected tooth is permanently removed, you don’t need to worry about the infection, decay or cavity in that tooth, as there is no place left to attract bacteria on the extracted tooth.
  • The most interesting and beneficial point of tooth extraction is that the cost of treatment is much less compared to RCT, making this dental treatment affordable to everyone.  

Cons:

  • Removing the tooth will reduce your ability to chew or bite food with fewer teeth. And if your front tooth is extracted, you will lose confidence while speaking or smiling publicly.    
  • Tooth extraction has various side effects, as it can cause the surrounding bone to deteriorate over time, and a few people face a weak eyesight problem after tooth extraction.
  • Removing the front tooth is easier, but removing molars or backside teeth is more complicated, making it difficult not only for dentists but also painful for the patients.
  • And to get the net tooth after extraction, you can opt for a dental implant or a dental procedure that requires additional treatment costs.

Also Read: When to Get Dental Implants or after Tooth Extraction

Root Canal Treatment or Remove Tooth, Which is Better?

The tooth extraction is the dental procedure followed to remove the damaged tooth from the roots. The dentist will perform the surgical process to numb the gums around the diseased tooth and use the tools with the right technique to extract the tooth from the roots.

On the other hand, RCT is the critical dental procedure to treat the tooth and make it usable for biting and chewing food. Though it is a more critical, time-consuming and expensive dental procedure, it can save your tooth without facing any problem in chewing food with proper oral care.   

Also Read: How You Know if You Need a Root Canal Treatment: 7 Symptoms

Conclusion

If you want to save your tooth or don’t want to lose it, you can go for root canal treatment, as it will not only save your tooth but also provide you with a natural chewing and speaking experience. It also protects your other nearby teeth from any further infection and prevents bone loss. However, if you have a limited budget or can’t afford to get this multiple times visit treatment process, you can choose the tooth extraction process. But after tooth extraction, if you need a new tooth, you have to go through the other dental procedures like dental implants, crowns and bridges.      

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Top Frequently Asked Questions on Implant Supported Dentures

FAQs on Implant Supported Dentures
Top Frequently Asked Questions on Implant Supported Dentures

Dentures are usually a full set of teeth used to replace missing teeth, with normal functioning of chewing. Dentures are recommended when you have multiple teeth missing or all your teeth are extracted, and you don’t have a single one to bite or chew food.  

While for single or a couple of extracted teeth, you can have dental implants or bridges to get the new teeth. But do you know that implant-supported dentures are also popular in the market? Yes, we are going to discuss here all the frequently asked questions about implant-supported dentures with their answers.

Q. 1. What are Implant-Supported Dentures?

Ans. Implant-supported dentures are a type of overdenture supported with attached dental implants in the jawbone that is stretched outward from the gums. Just like dentures, implant-supported dentures are used to replace various teeth at a time, but instead of resting on the top of your gums, they are attached directly to your jawbone, just like dental implants.  

Also Read: What is Dental Implantology & How are Dental Implants Done

Q. 2. How Do Implant Supported Dentures Work?

Ans. An implant support denture is placed into or screwed into the titanium posts through a surgical process in the jawbone. The entire process takes several hours, in which the dentist inserts two or more titanium rods or screws in the jaw to provide better support and strength to dentures.       

Also Read: Why Dental Implants Are Important and its Benefits

Compared to traditional dentures, implant support dentures are more stable, removable, or fixed dental prosthetics, which also prevents bone loss and improves chewing ability. The implant-supported dentures can be used for both upper and lower jaws, and look like permanent dentures with of natural teeth appearance. 

Q. 3. Different Types of Implant Supported Dentures

Ans. Mainly, there are two types of implant supported dentures – One is, fixed implant-supported dentures, which is also called hybrid dentures, and the second one is removable implant-supported dentures, also known as overdenture with different attributes.   

Fixed implant-supported dentures are permanently attached to the implants through screws or cement that cannot be removed by the users, providing more stability and strength. Whereas removable implant-supported dentures snap onto implants, which allows users to remove it and clean as needed. 

Q. 4. How Many Implants are needed for Implant Supported Dentures?

Ans. It depends on the position or arch location of placement and the types of implant-supported dentures. The lower jaw dentures need 2 to 4 implants, while the upper jaw denture requires 4-6 due to high bone density. And for the entire all-on-4, four implants are needed to support a full arch.      

Also Read: Steps in Dental Implant Placement: Step-by-Step Procedure

If a dental implant is removable, it can be supported by just two to four implants. While for fixed implants, it requires at least four implants for more stability. However, patients with weak jawbones might require more implants to create a stable foundation for the implant supported dentures.     

FAQs on Implant Supported Dentures

Q. 5. How Long Do Implant Supported Dentures Last?

Ans. The life of implant-supported dentures depends on the types of implants and the quality of material used. However, a titanium-made implant can last up to the lifetime of the user, while a prosthetic tooth or overdenture can last up to 20 years.

The life of implant-supported dentures also depends on the maintenance and oral care of the patient. The implants are more durable and don’t need such maintenance, but for dentures, more care is required, as it can wear and tear with normal use after 5 to 10 years. 

Q. 6. What is the Difference Between Implants and Implant Supported Dentures?

Ans. Dental implants are applied for a single tooth implanted with individual titanium screws, which work like an artificial tooth. While implant-supported dentures are used for the arches of teeth anchored onto 4–8 implants, providing more stability compared to traditional dentures. 

Also Read: Dental Bridge and Dental Implant Difference: Which is Better

Implants are the fixed and permanent solution to get new teeth, while implant-supported dentures can be removed or can be fixed as per the needs and usability of the users. Implants can be expensive due to single tooth implant, while implant-supported dentures are more economical due to restoring multiple teeth.     

Q. 7. What are the Disadvantages of Implant Supported Dentures?

Ans. The drawback of implant-supported dentures includes the high cost of treatment, the requirement of an invasive surgical process, and the fact that it can take months to heal completely. Apart from that, during the surgery, there is also a risk of infection, nerve damage and long-term maintenance requirements.

Apart from this, it also requires extra maintenance and care to ensure the functionality of the teeth. And to support such implant supported dentures, the bone density must be healthy.

Q. 8. What is the Best Material for Implant Supported Dentures?

Ans. Though there are various types of materials that can be used for implant-supported dentures, Zirconia is the best one, providing the highest durability with an aesthetic look. However, Titanium-Acrylic (Hybrid) is also used to give more comfort with shock-absorbing properties at a low cost.

However, Zirconia can provide more strength and strain resistance, while on the other hand, titanium is stronger and more reliable with a bio-compatible base to fix the jawbone.      

Q. 9. How to Clean Implant Supported Dentures?

Ans. For removable implant support dentures, you can simply remove them and properly clean them using a toothbrush or a non-abrasive paste. On the other hand, for fixed implant support dentures, you can use the water flosser, dental flow or gently clean with a toothbrush.

Also Read: What is Dental Scaling and Polishing or Cleaning: Difference

You also need to brush the metal attachments used in implants with a soft brush to remove bacteria. However, you can also use the proxy brush or use the floss threaders to clean your teeth.

Q. 10. How to Care for Implant Supported Dentures?

Ans. To take care of your implant-supported dentures, you need daily cleaning of both the prosthetic and the underlying implants to protect your teeth from infection. You can brush thoroughly using the soft-bristle toothpaste and clean the metal abutments with a soft brush to remove bacteria.

However, for removable implant-supported dentures, you brush with a soft-bristle brush and a non-abrasive cleaner, and soak nightly. And for fixed dentures, you can use flossing with threaders or Waterpiks.

Q. 11. How to Remove Implant Supported Dentures?

Ans. Removing implant-supported dentures depends on the type of implant supported dentures you have.  You can take out removable implant-supported dentures yourself at home daily or as per your ease.

While on the other hand, to remove the fixed-hybrid dentures, you need to visit the best dentist in Greater Noida. The dentist will use the advanced tools and techniques to complete this process safely. The dentist will gently lift the denture base away from the gum line to detach it from the implant abutments.

Q. 12. How Much Do Implant Supported Dentures Cost?

Ans. The cost of implant supported dentures also depends on the type of implant dentures you choose for your missing teeth. The implant supported dentures may cost you between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1,50,000 as per the types of implant-supported dentures and the material used in dentures.

Fixed hybrid dentures and removable hybrid dentures are the least costly compared to full mouth implant dentures, which may cost you between Rs 1,50,000 and Rs 3,50,000. However, the cost of treatment also depends on the location of your city and experience of the dentist specialised in dental implant services.  

Also Read: Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Implants

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Which is Better Dental Implants or Dentures? Key Differences

dentures vs implants
Which is Better Dental Implants or Dentures? Key Differences

After tooth extraction, getting the new tooth, you have various options like crowns, bridges, implants and dentures. However, dental implants or dentures are the most popular ones because most people prefer to get new teeth in their mouth with a more aesthetic look.  

However, both are different from each other in terms of their applications, installation procedure, cost of treatment and taking care. And before you choose the right one suitable for you or your dentist recommends to you, you need to understand the difference between them.   

What are Dentures?

Dentures are removable full-fledged artificial teeth structures made from prosthetic devices to replace missing teeth, providing the normal functionality to users. The dentures are made of acrylic or metal and can sit over the gum line with stability, providing the ability to speak and eat normally.

Dentures are usually used in dentistry when most of the teeth are extracted or missing from the mouth. However, depending on the quantity of missing teeth and the oral condition of the patient, different types of dentures can be used to provide a perfect tooth structure.

As per the practices in dentistry, the three most popular types of dentures are in use. Conventional Full Dentures replace the entire set of missing teeth, and partial dentures replace some set of teeth. And the last one is implant-supported dentures installed through dental implants.

Also Read: Dental Bridge and Dental Implant Difference: Which is Better

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are artificial teeth made of long-lasting metal, such as titanium, used to replace a missing tooth by surgically placing them into the jawbone. Compared to crowns, bridges, and dentures, dental implants provide a more solid foundation for the new tooth.   

Though the dental procedure of implants is more critical than crowns and bridges, once installed, they provide a natural look with a durable solution for long-lasting performance to enjoy a normal eating experience. Just like dentures, dental implants are also of three types, Endosteal, Subperiosteal and Zygomatic, used as per the jaw condition, compatibility and affordability of the patient. 

Dentures vs Implants

Dentists use dentures or implants to provide a new set of teeth to people, although both have their own characteristics, applicability and process of installation. However, both are used in dentistry to provide an artificial tooth with the capability to chew, bite and perform other daily oral functions. But still, they are different from each other in many ways, so let’s find out the difference between dentures and implants.

Dentures vs Implants: Difference

AspectsDenturesImplants
FunctionalityDentures also provide the normal functionality of biting and chewing, but not as much as implants.As the tooth is anchored into the roots, it provides strong and natural functionality like the original one.
AppearanceDentures also look aesthetic, but don’t have the natural look as much as implants.Dental Implants give a more natural look with aesthetic appearance and comfort.
StabilityDentures can last 5 to 10 years, depending on the quality of the denture and the care taken by the users.Implants can last 15 to 25 years, depending on the type of implant, maintenance and oral care.
MaintenanceTo ensure the maintenance of dentures, you need to remove it and separately clean them carefully.No special care taking, just normal and regular brushing and flossing is enough to clean the teeth.
Treatment CostDentures are more affordable compared to implants and can be the best solution for quick and low-cost teeth replacement.Due to more critical or surgical and time-consuming dental procedures, implants are much costlier than dentures.
Advantages  Dentures are a low-cost solution for a high number of missing teeth, quick and easy to make and place.Implants provide a more natural and sturdy tooth with long-lasting performance and don’t need special care.
DisadvantagesShorter life, less chewing strength, discomfort due to adjustments and need extra care and maintenance.It is a complicated, time-consuming and costly surgical procedure that requires healthy jawbones to place properly.

Dental Implants or Dentures, Which is Better

Dentures are an affordable and quick dental solution to get a new set of teeth, and can be removed as per comfort. Its dental procedure is neither too complicated nor time-consuming; it can be easily made with getting the impression of your gums and jawbones.

dentures vs implants

While implants are a long-lasting solution to get new teeth with a stronger base to chew or bite without any discomfort. Though its treatment cost is higher than dentures, it can provide a natural tooth with an aesthetic look with normal care and maintenance. Dentures don’t provide any protection to jawbones, while an implant helps to protect the jawbones with long-lasting performance.     

Conclusion

Choosing between dentures or implants may not be your sole decision, as per your oral condition and need for missing teeth, the dentist can suggest the right one. Dental implants are more suitable if you need to replace a small number of teeth, while dentures are more suitable if most of the teeth are missing. However, if you are looking for new teeth with long years of performance and can afford the dental procedure, then you can go for Dental implant services in Greater Noida. While seeking a quick, more affordable and normal functioning teeth structure, then debentures can also meet your requirements.    

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Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Wisdom Teeth

frequently asked questions on wisdom teeth
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are an additional set of teeth that grow as third molars, usually when you attain the age of maturity. When it grows, it can be very painful and sometimes becomes intolerable or feels awkward when impacted or erupts between the existing molars, creating overcrowding. 

It should be removed or not; similarly, there are unlimited questions that come to mind about the wisdom teeth. So right here we brought the top ten frequently asked questions on wisdom teeth with their suitable answers. Let’s read out the answers to the FAQs on wisdom teeth. 

Q. 1. Why are Wisdom Teeth Called So?

Ans. The term “Wisdom Tooth” is derived from the Latin dens sapientiae, meaning “tooth of wisdom”. However, in other cultures, they are also known as “teeth of judgment” (In Spanish: las muelas del juicio) or “far-standing teeth” (In Dutch: verstandskiezen).

Wisdom teeth usually come after adolescence, when you attain or enter the age of adulthood. Traditionally, it is considered when you reach the age of maturity and gain the wisdom to understand life with much wiser experience compared to childhood or adolescence.   

Q. 2. At What Age do Wisdom Teeth Come In

Ans. Wisdom teeth usually grow between the ages of 17 and 25 years, or you can say they erupt in late teens to early twenties. The most active age of wisdom teeth growth is 18–24 years old. Though they break through in the late teens/early twenties, roots can continue developing for up to three years after eruption.  

However, few people can have wisdom teeth beyond the age of 25 years in their 30s. And if it happens, it is generally considered that they will not erupt on their own.

Q. 3. Why do Wisdom Teeth Grow and Come So Late?

Ans. The wisdom teeth, which are also known as third molars, usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25 years because only after this age has the jawbone fully matured and developed enough to provide space for such molar teeth. However, a smaller jaw size can cause wisdom teeth to grow impacted or crowded.

The main reason behind late wisdom teeth growth is that you need a fully grown jawbone for structural support. However, the hormonal changes during the teenage years can stimulate the movement of these teeth toward the gum line. And due to smaller jaws, there is limited room for the last set of molars, often causing them to grow either impacted or at awkward angles in the jaw.  

Q. 4. What Are the Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth?

Ans. One of the initial symptoms of wisdom teeth growth is pain and swelling with sensitivity in the back of the mouth or around the last molars. However, the other indications of wisdom teeth eruption are bad breath, jaw pain, and unpleasant taste in the mouth.

Apart from this, you might also face problems opening in your mouth or notice the physical changes in your face, like facial swelling or swollen lymph nodes under the jaw. And you can feel some kind of awkward pressure or movement in the surroundings.     

Q. 5. Why Wisdom Tooth is Painful?

Ans. An impacted wisdom tooth that grows impacted or stuck between the existing molar teeth can cause gum inflammation, infection and extreme pain. A partial eruption can create flaps of gum tissue that trap food and bacteria, leading to pain, swelling, and decay in teeth. 

The wisdom teeth push against the second molars, which mainly cause pain, and due to overcrowding, they can cause potential damage to existing teeth. Another reason for pain during wisdom teeth growth could be the grinding of teeth, where the tooth is trying to emerge.  

frequently asked questions on wisdom teeth

Q. 6. How to Stop Wisdom Tooth Pain?

Ans. To get relief from wisdom teeth pain, you can perform home remedies like putting clove oil, using salt water rinses or applying cold compresses on the cheek. However, you can also chew the onion pieces or apply the numbing gel to reduce the pain. 

And if you do not get any relief from such remedies, you can take the painkillers like Ibuprofen or other OTC anti-inflammatory medication under the supervision of a doctor. To feel less pain, you also need to avoid hard foods and consume soft foods while maintaining your oral hygiene. 

Q. 7. Why Does a Wisdom Tooth Need to be Removed?

Ans. Usually, most of the wisdom teeth are impacted or grow in an overcrowded space around the molar set of teeth. If you don’t remove the wisdom tooth, it can not only cause pain but also damage to adjacent molars, gum disease, and the formation of cysts or tumours.

Wisdom tooth extraction is important to prevent other teeth from being affected by the space consumed by this unwanted wisdom tooth. Apart from overcrowding, it can cause infections like pericoronitis, tooth decay and gum disease, and it can badly damage the other nearby teeth and molars.

Q. 8. What to Eat After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Ans. After wisdom tooth removal, you need to take precautions for a few days to heal the wounds caused by the surgery on the tooth. In the first 24–48 hours after tooth extraction, you need to stick to a soft-food and liquid diet that will help you to protect the extracted area from the dislodging of blood clots.

However, after these crucial hours, you can enjoy blended soups & broths or consume yoghurt & pudding, ice cream and applesauce & pureed fruit.And for vitamin intake, you can consume smoothies, but don’t use the straw to avoid direct contact with such foods in the extraction area.   

Q. 9. How Much does Wisdom Tooth Extraction Cost?

Ans. Though a normal dental clinic like Dr Sinha Dental Clinic in Greater Noida can charge between Rs 2000 and Rs 5000 for a normal tooth extraction. But for wisdom tooth removal, the extraction cost can go up to Rs 25,000, depending on the complexities and time or efforts required to perform such a dental procedure.    

However, for simple and single wisdom tooth extraction, you might be asked to pay just Rs 1,500, and for the impacted wisdom tooth removal, you have to pay higher charges, maybe up to Rs 12,000. The charges can differ depending on the tooth condition, complexity of the surgical process and location of the dental clinic.

Q. 10. Which Dentist Removes Wisdom Teeth?

Ans. Any certified dentist can remove wisdom teeth, or you can say a general dentist can extract the wisdom tooth, just like other types of teeth removal. However, for highly impacted or extraction through a crucial surgical process, you can visit a maxillofacial surgeon or a periodontist.

For wisdom tooth removal services in Greater Noida, you can visit the Dr Sinha Dental Clinic. Here you can get the teeth removal service for all types of teeth, including wisdom teeth, using the most advanced technique and tools to perform the complete diagnosis and extraction procedure.

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What Happens if You Don’t Replace a Missing Tooth: Side Effects & Solution

Effect of Missing Tooth
What Happens if You Don’t Replace a Missing Tooth: Side Effects & Solution

Chewing the food without teeth would not only be difficult, but your teeth structure is also affected, especially when you smile or speak publicly in front of others. Without a few of the teeth, you might not face enough problems, but sometimes, without a tooth, you can face various problems. 

In fact, there are various side effects of the missing tooth, and you need to understand that to avoid major dental problems. So, right here we are going to discuss about the missing teeth or Tooth Removal Services in Greater Noida, what happens when you don’t replace them, its side effects and how to fix or cover a missing tooth.

What Happens When You don’t Replace a Missing Tooth?

When you lose your teeth or have them extracted from the roots and don’t get a new tooth in that place, you might face several health problems. The missing tooth causes a domino effect on oral health that can shift your adjacent teeth, and in severe conditions, you could have bone loss. And these kinds of conditions can lead to a reduction of bone density in the initial years. The missing tooth can have several side effects; let’s find out in detail how it can affect your mouth and teeth structure.

Side Effects of Missing Teeth:

Loss of Jawbone

The roots of the tooth stimulate the jawbone that reabsorbs the bone, helping to stabilise the chewing and biting activities. And when there are no teeth, the area of bone where the tooth is located does not get such stimulation and disappears after a few years, which leads to a sunken, wrinkled, and aged facial appearance.

Facial Collapse:

When you have sufficient teeth in your mouth, you can also notice the facial collapse. Along with the gums, the entire tooth structure provides support to the muscles of the face. And when you don’t have teeth in your mouth, your facial muscles will not get such support, resulting in facial collapse as a long-term effect.     

Lack of Nutrition

Teeth are meant for biting and chewing food, and with a set of teeth, you can easily and properly consume all types of food. But without having teeth, you would not be able to bite or chew several essential foods that provide the necessary nutrition to the body. And it is not possible to consume everything in a liquid state.  Hence, a lack of teeth can also lead to a lack of nutrition in your body.

Digestion Issues

On the other hand, when you try to consume several food items that need extra effort to chew and have missing teeth, it would not be possible. And engulfing the improperly chewed food will put extra work on your digestive system, also affecting your liver.  And in the long term, the impact of such eating habits can badly affect your entire digestive system.  

Misalignment of Teeth

When you bite or chew food, the structure of your teeth gets extra pressure on both sides of the teeth. And when you have the adjacent teeth, all of them get support from each other with the ability absorb or distribute the extra pressure on the teeth.

But when you have all the set of teeth, and while putting pressure on the remaining teeth, they drift towards the gap where the missing tooth is supposed to be. And drifting of such teeth towards the missing teeth disturbed the alignment of the entire tooth structure.

Chances of Infection

When you have a missing tooth, the gum areas uncovered are exposed, making that area more prone to gum disease. And such diseases can damage the tissues of the gums, which can affect your other teeth. On the other hand, bacterial infections can lead to loss of the tooth, which will further escalate the deterioration of the gums, with the chances of potential loss of teeth. 

Deficiency of Speaking

When you have the proper teeth alignment due to the lack of missing teeth, then it would also become very difficult to speak, especially while pronouncing certain words. And sometimes there could be a missing tooth that can lead to difficulty while speaking properly. 

Other Health Risks  

Apart from these, with missing teeth, you might also face various other health problems, like feeling pain while chewing, as it puts extra pressure on the remaining teeth. Similarly, without teeth, gums are more prone to infections, which can enter your body or bloodstream, which can create other serious health issues like diabetes, heart diseases, liver or kidney infection and Alzheimer’s disease, etc. 

missing tooth

How to Replace a Missing Tooth?

To replace your missing teeth, you have various options to get new teeth. You can choose to get the dental bridges with a crown, dental implants or removable partial dentures. Every dental procedure to replace the missing teeth has its own pros and cons, such as the cost of treatment, time and effort required.

Though based on the tooth location and condition, the best dentist in Greater Noida can suggest the best dental procedure to replace your missing teeth. On the other hand, affordability and flexibility for the patient to get the right one or the best treatment for missing teeth are the other major factors considered.

Best Solution for a Missing Tooth

Though there are multiple options to get the new teeth in place of the missing teeth. But Dental implants are considered the best solution for a missing tooth. When you get the new tooth through Dental implant services, it will not give a natural tooth structure, but also be very strong and long-lasting, giving you a permanent teeth solution for various types of teeth. 

Although the dental implant procedure is a little critical and costly compared to other dental procedures, it can provide you with a permanent and long-lasting solution.  The teeth implanted through dental implants provide good strength with the functionality to chew food properly, with a natural look. And you don’t need to take extra precautions or care for your teeth; you just need normal oral care and hygiene. 

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Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Tooth Decay

frequently asked questions on tooth decay
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Tooth Decay

Q. 1. What is Tooth Decay?

Ans. It is a phenomenon of the inner layer of the tooth, which is also known as tooth enamel. And during the tooth decay process, the bad bacteria produce a type of acid in the mouth that causes demineralisation, which leads to the creation of a hole with pain and infection in the tooth. This tooth decay is also called dental caries or cavities, and if not cured or treated in a timely manner, it can result in permanent loss of a tooth.

Q. 2. What are the Symptoms of Tooth Decay?

Ans. One of the most common symptoms of tooth decay is a feeling of sensitivity in your tooth, especially while consuming cold or hot food and beverages. On the other hand, the other signs of tooth decay are pain, a stain on the tooth, holes or a black spot and bad breath. However, sometimes there are no symptoms visible at the early stage, and later it becomes painful with swelling and infections in the tooth.

Q. 3. What Causes Tooth Decay?

Ans. The bad bacteria in the mouth, while feeding on the sugar and starch from the food or beverage items, produce an acid that erodes the tooth enamel, starting to decay the tooth. And when you do not clean your teeth regularly or properly, or live with poor oral hygiene like not flossing or avoiding rinsing your mouth after food or drinks, then these bacteria aggressively damage the tooth. 

Q. 4. What is the Role of pH in Tooth Decay?

Ans.  pHis playing a crucial role in controlling the oral bacteria in the mouth. When the mouth’s pH drops below 5.5, oral bacteria feed on sugars and start producing acid that dissolves tooth enamel, causing tooth decay. And this pH level is maintained by the saliva to generate a healthy mouth pH (around 7.0). However, acidic food, drinks and bacterial byproducts lower pH, causing mineral loss resulting in tooth decay.

Q. 5. Why Does Tooth Decay Smell?

Ans. As we said, tooth decay is caused by the acid produced by bacteria in the mouth, feeding on the tissues of the tooth. And during this process, the chemicals like Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSCs), such as hydrogen sulphide, are foul-smelling components. 

Apart from that, as many cavities develop, they trap food and bacteria that create anaerobic pockets, which are also responsible for producing the gases with a bad odour. On the other hand, infections or abscesses due to decay also produce pus, which also contributes to a very strong and unpleasant smell in the mouth.

tooth decay

Q. 6. How to Stop Tooth Decay Pain?

Ans. The tooth decay pain could be highly intolerable; you need to stop this as soon as possible. Though you can visit your nearest dentist in Greater Noida and get the right medicine (painkiller) to stop tooth decay. But if you want to control such pain at home, you can try various home remedies like using clove oil or benzocaine gels, or rinse with warm salt water or apply a cold compress to your cheek. 

Q. 7. How to Prevent Tooth Decay?

Ans. To prevent tooth decay, you need to follow consistent oral hygiene and maintain good food habits. Keep brushing twice daily, especially at night before going to bed for sleep. Apart from that, always use the fluoride toothpaste, floss daily and always rinse your mouth after consuming foods and beverages. 

And to prevent tooth decay, also cut your sugar intake and avoid eating starchy foods. Cleaning the teeth, maintaining the pH level and limiting the sugar will help you to prevent tooth decay. And also keep regularly visiting your nearest best dentist in Greater Noida for oral examination and treatment for teeth.

Q. 8. How to Remove or Reverse Tooth Decay at Home?

Ans. Though the tooth decay or cavities cannot be removed at home, you need to consult with the dentist, who can only diagnose and professionally remove the cavities. But if you managed to spot the formation of cavities at the early stage, you can reverse the tooth decay at home. 

Use the fluoride-based toothpaste and brush twice daily on a regular basis. And also reduce your sugar and starchy food intake by flossing and rinsing your teeth after consuming food and drinks. Apart from that, you can also use the antibacterial mouthwash to strengthen enamel and reverse tooth decay.  

Q. 9. What is The Best Treatment for Tooth Decay?

Ans. The treatment for tooth decay is based on the tooth condition and the severity of the cavities. The early stage of decay can be treated with fluoride gels, varnishes, or rinses to strengthen enamel and reverse the initial decay that starts before a cavity forms. And for the moderate level of tooth decay, a dental filling is used to treat the decay. In this process, the dentist removes the decay and fills the area with suitable material like composite filling, porcelain or amalgam.

On the other hand, for the extensive condition of tooth decay, the crown and bridge is the best treatment for tooth decay. And when tooth decay is in a severe condition or decay is very deep, then root canal treatment is the best treatment to cure such a problem. While in the worst condition, when RCT is also enough to save the tooth from decaying, then extraction is the last resort, with the option to get a new tooth by dental implants.     

Q. 10. What does a Dentist do for Tooth Decay?

Ans.  When you visit Dr Sinha Dental Clinic or any other dentist, he will diagnose the tooth condition and start the treatment process as per the severity of cavities. And during this dental procedure, the dentist will first of all remove the decayed tissues and restore the tooth using fillings like crowns, bridges or root canals as per the severity of the tooth to make it healthy again.    

During this dental procedure, the dentist can use anaesthesia to numb the area around the affected tooth for the least pain. After that, the cavities or pulp removal process is performed, and the infected areas are cleaned. And finally, the tooth is restored with a crown or capping, giving a new life to the tooth affected by decay. 

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Dental Bridge and Dental Implant Difference: Which is Better

Dental Bridge vs Implants
Dental Bridge and Dental Implant Difference: Which is Better

Dental bridges and dental implants are two of the most popular dental procedures to get a new tooth in the place of a missing or extracted tooth. However, both are different from each other in terms of their treatment process, cost involved and durability or longevity.

Choosing between these or which one is suitable for you would be possible only when you understand the actual difference between both of them. So, right here we are going to discuss about the difference between dental implants and dental bridges, and which one is better.      

What is Dental Bridge Procedure?

Bridge in the teeth is kind of dental procedure use to create a type of bridge between two missing teeth. Dental bridge fills the gap of missing teeth with new one with the support of other two neighbouring teeth. In fact it is kind of dental crown with three attached with each other, in which two of both ends are capped on the existing teeth creating a bridge for the artificial teeth that called pontics.

Read Here: Types of Dental Procedures Used for Treatment of Teeth Diseases

Abutments are the structures used to support your dental bridge to fill the gap between two teeth. One of the main motives of dental bridge is to cement the new tooth to restore the proper functioning of teeth and make your overall teeth appearance better and aesthetic. 

Dental Bridge Procedure

What is Dental Implant Procedure?

Dental implant is procedure of installing the new tooth in place of missing one. It is a kind of surgical procedure in which dentist uses the titanium post to implant the new teeth covered with custom-made crown. In this dental procedure a new teeth is implanted attached with titanium connected with screws into the threaded post to provide the better strength and long lasting performance.     

Read Here: What is Dental Implantology & How are Dental Implants Done?

Implants are used to provide the natural functioning of the teeth with aesthetic rehabilitation. And one of best advantage of implants is it fuses your jawbone and not going to decayed like your teeth. It can provide the more strength and better functioning of chewing to entire teeth structure. 

Dental Implant Procedure

Difference Between Dental Implant and Bridge:

AspectsDental BridgesDental Implants
DescriptionDental bridge is kinds of bridge create for the missing tooth between two teeth. The other two beside teeth provide support to the new tooth create through a bridge to give a natural look.Dental Implants are process of implanting the new tooth in place of missing or extracted tooth. The implant is different from bridge in terms of installation and treatment procedure followed.  
Dental ProcedureA false tooth which also called the “pontic” is used to place through a crown on the other two neighbouring teeth. Compare to implants it is less complicated and don’t require surgeries. A titanium post is surgically placed in the jawbone to provide a strong support to the new tooth. It involves surgical process with more complicated procedure compare to bridges.  
Level of PainLevel of pain in the dental bridges is low or less compare to implants as there is no surgical process involved.The level of pain or discomfort is high compare to bridges, as surgical treatment process is followed here.    
Bone HealthIt can lead to loss of bone, as there is missing tooth and there could be deterioration of the jawbone over time.It prevents the loss of jawbone by providing the stimulation to the jawbone and preventing bone resorption.
Effect on Neighbouring TeethBoth sides of neighbouring teeth are used to modify or alter to provide support for the bridge. In this process, don’t need any such modification or alteration to any other neighbouring teeth.
AppearanceThe look and feel of teeth installed through bridges may not look natural like implants.The tooth installed through implants look more aesthetic with natural look and feel.  
DurabilityBridges may last up to 5 to 15 years depending on your teeth condition and oral care.Implants last longer compare to bridges and last till the lifetime if properly cared. 
Maintenance To maintain bridges you need special cleaning especially around the bridges with extra precautions.It require regular brushing, flossing or professional cleaning at the dentist on the occasional basis.   
Cost of TreatmentThe cost of treatment is lower than implants, but may involve recurring costs due to longevity.The cost of treatment is high compare to bridges but potentially lower in the long-term performance.
AdvantagesLess time, cost, complications and pain involves with faster recovery and functioning of tooth. It is long lasting dental procedure providing the natural look and requires less care or maintenance.
DisadvantagesLess durable or lower longevity with more artificial look and feel or need extra care and precautions. It is a costly surgical procedure with more complicated, time taking and painful treatment process. 
Suitable For PeopleIt is suitable for people having missing tooth with healthy teeth or implants are available on either side to anchor them to fill the gaps for maintaining the bite balance or restore the chewing. It is suitable for people looking for a durable, natural-looking tooth to replace the missing tooth but having the healthy gums, sufficient jawbone, and good overall health to go through the surgeries.

Dental Bridge or Implant, Which is Better?

The dental bridges are quicker option with less cost of treatment or can be installed easily with fewer complications. However, to perform this alteration of other teeth is also required and it is not durable as much as implants, and may need replacement sooner or later. 

While on the other hand, dental implants may involves the high cost of treatment due to complicated surgical procedure, but can give a strong and durable tooth. It can provide the better and stronger chewing experience with more aesthetic and natural look while maintaining its functionality. 

Why is an Implant Better than a Bridge?

Dental implants are better option compare to dental bridges in terms of providing the long-lasting and natural looking teeth structure. The dental bridges can last up to 5 to 15 years, while implants can last more than 30 years making better option for the people don’t want to visits at dentist for new tooth.  

Read Here: Why Dental Implants Are Important and its Benefits?

A titanium post is used to install the new tooth through implants; it is better option compare to bridges, where two neighboring teeth are used to support the new tooth. And bridges are not stronger as much as implants and you might need frequent visits to check the crown and its functionality. 

Difference Between Dental Implant and Bridge

Bridges could be a cheaper option or are less invasive but can strain supporting teeth and don’t prevent bone loss below the missing tooth, leading to potential issues later. While implants involves high cost of treatment but prevents the bone loss and potential damage to adjacent teeth.

Conclusion

Dental implants and dental bridges both have their own pros and cons and you can choose them as per your needs, budget, and long-term goals. However, when you visit at your nearest dental clinic for dental bridges or dental implants services in Greater Noida, the dentist will suggest which is suitable for you.  However, if you are looking for affordable and quicker solution for your missing teeth you can choose the dental bridges but dental implants can be better option if you can afford and looking to invest in permanent dental solution with more aesthetic look and feel for your mouth.