What Is Tongue Tie And How Is it Treated?

Tongue-tie is the layman's term for a condition known as ankyloglossia, which can be called a birth defect. Our tongue is attached to the bottom of the mouth with a band of tissue known as lingual frenulum. In case of some babies this band of tissue may be too short, hindering the movement of the tongue. This condition is known as tongue-tie.

Tongue-tie can cause problems in breast feeding the baby. There may be other associated problems as the child grows. Gaps between the teeth or teeth positioning and speech problems are common. Due to the limited movement of the tongue, the child cannot pronounce some syllables clearly. Besides, the child faces physical problems like being unable to clear off the food on the teeth with the tongue as its movement is restricted due to the short band of tissue.

The reason for tongue-tie is generally not known, quite often it is genetic in nature. You might find it running in families. Some babies may also have other facial defects like a cleft palate that may cause the condition.

Diagnosing the condition of Tongue Tie would require a complete physical examination of the baby's mouth by a doctor. In fact, some symptoms may be obvious to the mother such as difficulty breast-feeding the child. The doctor also checks the movement of the mouth and shape of the tongue to arrive at a diagnosis.

Doctors have different opinions as far as the treatment of tongue-tie is concerned. Some of them think it best to treat the condition immediately while other may take a wait-and-see approach. At times the wait and watch approach works because as the child grows they may adapt to the condition or the problem is resolved by itself.

A medical procedure known as frenotomy is done to clip off the lingual frenulum and free the tongue in case the baby is not able to feed properly. This is a minor surgery which may be performed with or without anaesthesia. Usually it is just a small cut with minimal bleeding and might not require sutures. If feeding is not a problem, the doctor may decide to avoid the surgery. As the baby grows, the lingual frenulum may stretch and problem is resolved naturally.

Frenuloplasty is a more complex procedure required if the lingual frenulum is too thick or needs more than a simple surgery. This procedure is taken up at a hospital under general anaesthesia. The wound is closed with sutures so that there is minimal bleeding and heals quickly. This procedure may be considered in older children or adults.

Integrity Dental, a speciality clinic in NSW Australia offers treatment for Lip Tie release as well as other other oral related problems. With state-of-the-art equipment, medical specialists perform the procedures in a sterile environment. Visit the website at http://integritydental.com.au or call for consultation, now.

What Is CEREC Dental Restorations?

CEREC means Ceramic Reconstruction of the teeth. The full form of CEREC is Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics. It is a modern and advanced system of designing and constructing high quality dental restorations that are metal-free. Advanced CAD/CAM computer technology along with 3D photography is used to create dental restorations while you are sitting at the dentist's chair.

Gone are the days when your dentist would take the impressions for a crown or a bridge and call you another day for the actual fitting. With CEREC dental restorations, the whole procedure can be completed in a single visit to the dentist. The computer system and camera combined with milling machinery can create precise dental restorations that fit perfectly and look great.

The Workings:

The CEREC machine allows your dentist to take a digital impression of the dental cavity. In other words the cavity is photographed and a three dimensional model is created and stored in the computer. The shape of the restoration is compared to the adjacent teeth and the dentist modifies the design accordingly using CAD software. Once the virtual model is complete, the milling machinery carves the restoration on a ceramic block. The ceramic dental restoration is then bonded with resin to give you a perfect set of teeth.

Where is CEREC Restoration Useful

If you have a cracked tooth, CEREC Restoration is a good option. Similarly, if you find the need for a new onlay, bridge or a crown, you can opt for CEREC restoration. Old metal restorations can fail or deteriorate over a period of time, in such instances you could opt for a CEREC dental restoration. CEREC restorations can be done in one sitting which makes it very convenient for the patient. Additionally, a bio-compatible material like ceramic is used to build the restorations without using any metal component which prevents any undue health problems.

Advantages of CEREC Dentists and Dental Restorations

CEREC is a modern and technologically advanced system that produces excellent results. An accurate and safe procedure allows your dentist to create a near perfect dental restoration, be it a crown, bridge or inlay. Since it is a perfect fit, there is no need for further adjustment or work and the whole process is completed within a single sitting. CEREC dental restoration saves valuable time and money, is a safe and comfortable procedure that is good for you as well as the dentist.

Integrity Dental in Australia offers Children Lip Tie state-of the art dental care including specialised dental care like CEREC dental restoration, orthodontics, cosmetic surgery, tongue-tie and lip-tie release, etc. With the most advanced equipment, qualified doctors and nurses, you can be guaranteed of the best quality services from Integrity Dental. Creating beautiful smiles is one of the main goals of the clinic. Visit http://integritydental.com.au for more details, appointments, etc.

What Procedures Are Done In Cosmetic Dentistry And its Types?

A white and bright smile is all about your genes, right? Not anymore! Medical science has advanced quite a bit to shun genetics aside. Cosmetic surgery proved it earlier; now cosmetic dentistry does!

Not just reality shows; today’s reality has shown us what wonderful results cosmetic dentistry can bear! Transforming even the most loathsome smile into something bright and beautiful is no more a tale of fantasy. But you need to make the correct choice. Not just the dentist but also the dental work you plan to undergo. A flawless cosmetic dental work works wonders to transform your smile into a work of art!

The easiest is cosmetic teeth whitening. Teeth bleaching also mean the same. This is highly effective against stained teeth that have undergone discoloration; even the most severe types. It’s the degree of stain that determines if you can get it done from the comforts of your home or at the dentist’s chamber; but then again, bleaching teeth doesn’t suit everyone and a prior assessment from the dentist is must. If the assessment turns out to be in the negative, then Cosmetic Dental Veneers remain the next option.

For those unaware of the term veneers – they are thin shells mostly of porcelain, or some other equally strong, composite material. These custom made shells are cemented to the front side of a tooth. Not just discoloured teeth; veneers are useful for treating a large range of dental conditions. Bent or asymmetrical or chipped teeth benefit the most from veneers; even teeth with wide gaps in between.

The next one is bit more complex and invasive. Cosmetic Dental Implants involve the use of titanium (strong, lightweight and bio-friendly) structures that replace missing teeth. They are surgically placed into the jawbone where a tooth formerly used to be. It is vastly different from a dental bridge and is permanent by nature. In short, it mimics the root of a tooth and anchors the Cosmetic Dentistry Baulkham Hills crowns or caps.

However, the artificial crowns can be also be used to fit over an existing tooth. You can choose between acrylic and porcelain fused to metal and is a great aid if your natural teeth can’t withstand biting pressure. Poorly shaped or badly decayed teeth are benefitted the most; so does, broken and chipped teeth with large fillings. They also cover spaces between teeth.

Lastly, it’s Professional General Dentistry and tooth bonding. The former one is the same as enamel shaping; a process that reshapes teeth by removing some of the enamel by filing. It’s a painless process and its effects show immediately. Whereas for cosmetic tooth bonding; it involves bonding or adhering tooth-coloured materials to the teeth, to repair and/or improve their appearance. Badly stained, broken or chipped teeth get a fresh lease of life after undergoing this treatment, even those that bleaching and veneering couldn’t help.

IntegrityDental's Treatment Will Help You To Achieve A Healthy Looking Smile

Dental care needs are limitless, yet the team at Integrity Dental of Greenwich sum them up under a few broad categories. Professional dental services are offered at IntegrityDental; it’s a comprehensive, full-service dental care both for individuals and families. Wait, did we just say ‘dental’? Actually, it goes beyond that.

A white, bright smile is everyone’s delight. Including your own! Smile with your eyes and that’s alright but when you also smile in its actual sense, the effect doubles! And there are ways to get you one. It doesn’t matter how your current smile is or whether you have it at all! Worry not; proven, affordable and painless procedures are here to put the smile back to your face. And you can get that done in a jiffy!

• Preventative Care

Prevention is better than cure! So there are dental exams; there are X-rays; Prophylaxis, Sealants and Fluoride.

We at IntegrityDental suggest that dental cleaning and routine exams to be carried out every 6 months, on a regular basis. It includes cleaning of plaque and calculus while with X-rays, you need them only when you suspect any possible, invisible cavity.

• Restorative Care

It’s against the human nature to care for something unless it breaks. That’s why the ‘restorative care’ Laser Dentistry procedures. When the teeth get bent out of shape, it’s time for the fillings, the crowns and Root Canal surgeries to rush in. However, IntegrityDental doesn’t rush the procedures itself; we just rush in the caring part so that you don’t end up losing your oral health anymore. Putting the newest in acrylic and porcelain materials into the jobs, we ensure that you don’t only look natural but also wear them well. Whether it’s the crowns, the bridges, the inlays or the fillings, restorative dentistry treatments from IntegrityDental last longer, stronger and seal better from its every aspect!

• Cosmetic Services

A plausible question is do you need to come to us only when there’s a problem? No way! Why would we then offer the veneers; design smiles or the Invisilign procedure? Integrity Dental of Greenwich offers proudly many such cosmetic dentistry services; th list is quite long to speak about within a constrained space.

• Headache and Bite Therapies

IntegrityDental walks the extra miles for you; our Perfect Bite Therapy, massage and Periodontal Services are the proof! Not just the teeth but we also treat what holds them right to their places! Perio- and Gingivitis Therapy along with Perio-maintenence are your one way ticket to trouble-free gums!

Alongside, we also offer Gum Laser Treatment Dural. It’s a minor surgical procedure with which we reshape the gum tissue and you end up with more levelled gums. Which means - your smile shall go up a flight!

Tips for Keeping Your Mouth Hygienic and Presentable

Everyone has heard of the ABCs of oral health and hygiene which are brushing, rinsing and flossing. However, there is more to oral hygiene than just brushing your teeth. In fact, it has a lot to do with the technique of brushing, decreasing or stopping sodas and giving up nicotine as well as cigarettes.

Here are some ways and methods as well as tips you should incorporate into your lifestyle.

a) Visit a Dental Hygienist Baulkham Hills at least twice a year. This way you not only treat the diseases at an early stage but detect problems early as well and this ensures that the conditions are treatable and more affordable.

b) Fizzy drinks have phosphoric and citric acid. These eat away the surface of the teeth and make the enamel softer. This, in turn, makes it susceptible to all sorts of conditions including cavities.

c) Sugar is the main cause of mouth acidity and it also increases mouth bacteria. This, in turn, causes plaque which eats the enamel and causes gum disease.

d) Nicotine and tar cause the teeth to get a yellowish tinge. They also eat at the gum and degrades the bones that are there to support the teeth. Tobacco causes oral cancer as well.

e) Toothbrushes with soft bristles need to be used and it should be replaced every 2-3 months. In case the toothbrushes are not replaced, the straight tip of the bristle will get blunt and injure the gums and teeth

f) Proper brushing should be done twice a day, holding the toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees to the gum line. The brushing should be done in circular gentle motions. Each tooth should at least be brushed 10 – 15 times. Aggressive brushing damages the teeth as well as causes gum erosion.

g) Flossing needs to be done correctly else it will not only cause friction but also will also cause damage to the gum line. The floss should be held tight against the tooth and that way plaque will be broken up.

In addition to these tips, to check if your breath is bad, you should lick your wrist and allow it to dry and then smell it. In case it smells bad, it means your breath does as well.

Mouthwash should not be used directly after brushing. If it is used then, the fluoride which is in the toothpaste will get rinsed away.

You should also wait an hour after you have eaten or drunk anything before you can brush your teeth as the enamel is soft and so when you brush, you brush away tiny parts of it.

Fluoride toothpaste should be used as it not only strengthens the tooth enamel but makes it more resistant to getting decayed.

These are some points to be considered to help with oral hygiene and Professional Dental Hygienist.

The Benefits of Using Lasers to Treat Gum Disease

Lasers are put to a number of uses. With regards gum surgery, this treatment method is preferred as it has a number of benefits and advantages.

a) When lasers are used the surgeon does not require to cut into the gums using blades so that they can remove the diseased tissue. Using of blades involves cutting healthy tissue to reach the diseased tissue. This is not the case with lasers.

b) Laser technology helps in accessing all areas of the gums that need treatment. It does not affect the bones, teeth or even the healthy tissue. This is usually done by the differentiation of healthy and diseased gum tissue color.

c) As there are no blades and only diseased tissue is removed and treated, the pain and discomfort are lesser than other traditional methods of gum surgery.

d) The risk of complications is decreased as well as there are no blades used or other tissue which is affected. This means the recovery time is faster for the patient.

In addition to gum surgery, gum treatment also uses lasers for periodontitis. This is when various kinds of bacteria affect the gum. These bacteria are found in plaque that is usually collected on the gum line of the teeth. They then migrate following the root surfaces and they calcify there and produce tartar. This causes the inside lining of the gums to get ulcerated and inflamed. This if not treated in time can cause the periodontal tissues to be destroyed and this, in turn, causes the loss of the tooth.

Therefore, to arrest the disease, initial therapy is applied where the surfaces of the root are disinfected and cleaned and so healthy tissue can then grow in its place.

Traditional this consists of scaling or root debridement. This is done by hand instruments or sometimes even ultrasonic instruments could be used. This requires a lot of skill and a lot of time as well. This also consists of removing the pockets which are formed between the teeth and the gum tissue. However, this is not necessary as the tissues heal regardless of if the pocket lining is removed or not.

Laser Dentistry Dural technology replaces this therapy and gingival curettage is possible using it. It is also used to remove calculus as well as biofilm which is on the root surface. This, in fact, is a better method due to the following reasons:

a) There is minimal damage to the tissues and minimal swelling caused
b) There is much less bleeding
c) The area being treated gets sterilized
d) The post treatment discomfort is reduced
e) The patients are less scared and are more open for these procedures
These are some of the benefits of lasers for Gum Laser Treatment.

What are Periodontistry Procedures?

Problems with your teeth or gums that general dentists are unable to treat are referred to the periodontist. The periodontist is a specialist dental surgeon who specialises in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases relating to teeth and the gums. Additional, the periodontist is an expert at placement of dental implants.

A Periodontists offers a wide range of treatments including root planing (in which the infected surface of the root is cleaned), scaling, root surface debridement (in which damaged tissue is removed) and rectification of severe gum related problems.

Periodontal procedures includes a study of the patient's medial history to ensure there are no pre-existing medical conditions that might in any way affect or have a bearing on the patient's teeth and gums – especially heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy.

Next, the periodontist examines the gums for signs of gum line recession, he assesses how the teeth fit together when biting, and also checks to see if any teeth are loose. The periodontist will also (usually) test for periodontal pockets by placing a probe between the gums; this helps the periodontist assess the health of the gums. Most periodontist will also X-ray the patients gums to determine the health of the bone below the gum line. All the information the periodontist so gathers has a bearing on the procedures he may have to perform next.

While your general dentist might clean your teeth by removing the accumulated plaque and tartar, periodontists performs a much deeper cleaning of the gums. In fact, regular scaling and planing is recommended as it provides a clean, smooth surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth and this can only be done by a periodontist.

If there are indications of severe gum diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis flap and periodontal pockets, the periodontist will recommend surgical procedures to correct these. During the surgery, the periodontist will lift back the gums and remove the tarter that might have accumulated under the gum line. Once the tarter is removed, he places the gums so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth. While doing so, he also decreases the space between the gum and tooth. This clears out the periodontal pockets that tend to accumulate harmful bacteria that are also the cause of bad breath.

Some senior patients might exhibit bone destruction due to gum disease. You periodontist can regenerate the tissue which in turn will stimulate bone and gum tissue growth. Your periodontist might also place a mesh-like fabric between gum and the bone. This allows the bone and connective tissue to grow back without having to combat with the gums for space.

Preventative Dentistry specialists is especially effective in treating patients who have suffered injuries due to some accident. For example, the periodontist can perform soft tissue grafts that reinforce thin gums or perform bone grafts or even add synthetic bone to strengthen tissue and bone that might be damaged in an accident.

One of the leading Periodontal Laser Treatment clinics is the Integrity Dental Clinic at Sydney. Call them on +61 2 9686 7288 for all your oral and dental care or visit for a hassle-free appointment.

What Is Laser Dentistry and How Does it Work?

No matter what our age, the scariest part about visiting the dentist is the drilling. The smell of our teeth burning or being ground to dust and the dentist poking into our gums with some horrid looking stainless steel tools that looks like they have been procured from some medieval torture armoury.

It will there be a relief to people to know that more and more dentist's are switching over to laser technology powered tools and retiring the old drill machines.

So what is Laser Dentistry and how does it work?
Just as you would select a knife based on the cutting that needs to be done, so too there are different (three actually), types of lasers that are selected based on the type of work the dentist needs to do. The essential difference is in the strength of each laser with the strongest one used to cut harder stuff such as hard tissue.

In the hands of a highly skilled Periodontist, the laser is like a using microscopic flame to sculpt a wax statue. There's no drilling noise, there's no grating sensation inside your mouth nor the fear that the Periodontist might unintentionally cut something else.

If you are technically inclined, there are three types of laser used by the Periodontist these are; the Garnet Laser - used for cutting and coagulating dental soft tissues, with good hemostasis, and for nonsurgical sulcular debridement in periodontal disease control. The second type of laser is the Erbium Laser and is used for treatment of dental hard tissues. The third is the Diode Laser and it is used in procedures for aesthetic gingival re-contouring, exposure of soft tissue impacted teeth, soft tissue crown lengthening, removal of inflamed and hypertrophic tissue, photostimulation of the apthous, frenectomies, and herpetic lesions.

Now let us see how a laser works in the dental environment.
The pinpoint of strong light that is produced by the laser serves to elevate the temperature of the tiny area where the laser is pointed at and it produces photochemical effect the extent of which, depends on the water content of the tissue at that location.

When the laser is switched on, at approx 60°C the protein in the tissue begin to denature but this happens without vaporisation of the underlying tissue. If the temperature is further raised to 100°C, the water content in the tissue is vaporised (this is called ablation). What temperature is selected depends on the procedure to be done.

As mentioned earlier, the whole process is totally silent and so the patient is much more relaxed. The Laser Dentists in the meanwhile keeps talking and before you know it, the procedure is complete. Call Integrity Dental on +61 2 9686 7288 for all your oral and dental care or visit http://integritydental.com.au and book an hassle-free appointment.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dentals implants are supports that hold a tooth or cosmetic dental bridge in place. A dental implant is typically used when a person looses a tooth or teeth due to injury, periodontal disease or some other reason.

Examples of dental implants include:
1. Dental implants done when a single tooth is missing. The implant usually consists of one implant and a crown to replace the missing tooth.
2. Dental implants done when several teeth are missing. The treatment usually consists of implant-supported bridges to replace the missing teeth.
3. Dental implant is done when all the teeth need to be replaced. The treatment in this case consists of an implant-supported full denture or full bridge to create a new set of teeth.
4. Dental implant via sinus augmentation – sometimes an implant needs to be placed in the upper back jaw region. This is a difficult task for the periodontists (dental implant specialist) because that region has insufficient bone quantity and is also near the sinus region. The periodontists therefore carries out a procedure known as 'Sinus augmentation' to help raise the sinus floor and develop bone for the placement of dental implant in upper back jaw.
5. Dental implant when dental ridge is deformed or inadequate due to an accident or disease. In either case, there is inadequate bone for placement of dental implants. The solution is to lift the gum, expose the bone defect and fill it with bone or bone substitute to rebuild the ridge. Once the ridge is healed and the periodontists is happy with the results, the next step is the dental implant.

There two types of dental implants endosteal (in the bone) and, subperiosteal (on the bone). The former is more common and is generally used as an alternative for patients with bridges or removable dentures. Each endosteal implant holds one or more prosthetic teeth. A subperiosteal dental implant on the other hand, is placed on top of the jaw and is the preferred method of treatment for patients who are unable to wear conventional dentures and who have minimal bone height.

If you are told that you need a dental implant, make sure that your dentist is also a periodontists because a dental implant should only be handled by a periodontists – a dental experts who specialises in dental implants. If your dentist is not a periodontists, he will (and should), request a periodontists to join him during this minor surgery and together they will make your teeth perfect again.

After treatment, your dentist and periodontist will create a oral hygiene routine for you to follow and will also request periodic follow-up visits to monitor your implant, other teeth and gums. Teeth fitted over dental implants are just like natural teeth and require the same care as the other teeth.http://integritydental.com.au for more information on dental implants and scheduling a visit to a periodontist clinic.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment?

Cosmetic dentistry is dentistry done to improve perfectness of our teeth. Not all of us are blessed with a perfect set of natural teeth and if you thought that film stars were, think again. Film stars are permanent cosmetic dentistry customers – their career often depends on that perfect set of teeth. So how do you go from having crooked teeth, teeth with gaps, yellowed teeth, to; teeth that are gleaming white and super-perfect in appearance? Read on.

The secret in two words is, Cosmetic Dentistry.
Most folks go to a dentist only when they have a tooth ache or suffer broken teeth in an accident. A visit to the dentist is for a “fix” rather than to enhance. Of course, cosmetic dentistry is not cheap but when you come face to face and speak with someone, don't you notice the teeth? Don't you say to yourself “wow, what a perfect set he/she has – wish mine were this good”?

Yes, you guessed correctly; Cosmetic Dentistry sets right the imperfect teeth – be it crooked teeth, yellowed teeth, broken teeth, teeth with holes and everything else in between. Cosmetic dentistry is about improving appearance and in reality, costs very little compared to other forms of cosmetic treatment such as straightening the nose or improving appearance of the ears or eyebrows or lips and so forth.

Technically there is very little to differentiate between 'normal' dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. For example, when you visit the dentist to have a tooth crown fitted or do a 'filling', this is actually a part of cosmetic dentistry. But lets look at some really cosmetic dental treatment – these include application of veneer to teeth, building teeth bridges, teeth straightening, teeth whitening, improving bite quality (resetting one or more teeth) and so forth. Cosmetic dentistry therefore, is dentistry done to improve perfectness of your teeth.

Lets look at two typical applications of cosmetic dentistry.
Dental Veneer – Dental Veneers are very thin slices of custom sized and shaped porcelain. The customisation allows the dental veneer to be placed precisely over the visible surface of your front teeth (dental veneers are only applied to front teeth).

Dental veneer is used to correct imperfectness of frontal teeth. So imperfections such as unusual or uneven gaps between front teeth, damaged front tooth, discoloured or unsightly teeth are all hidden by application of dental veneer. Dental veneer is not a correction – it is a covering to cover imperfectness.

Tooth-coloured filling – Unless you ask for it, a dental filling usually means filling a gap or hole in the tooth with a strong, long-lasting silvery-grey amalgam. Which is why you might have noticed your parents having several blackish spots in their teeth. Today, depending on which locality the dentist you visit is practising in, the dentist might (or might not) ask if you want the traditional filling (blackish-grey) or the new tooth-coloured filling. These modern-day tooth-coloured fillings are impossible to see by lay people.

Similarly, there are many other cosmetic dentistry applications. For more information, please visit: http://integritydental.com.au/