Differences Between Invisalign vs. Ceramic Braces

Cost of Clear Aligners

Invisalign braces or clear aligners are made of polyurethane plastic. Since they are made of plastic they are almost invisible giving a very clear effect. These invisible braces are used for less severe orthodontic issues.

Ceramic braces or clear braces have brackets that are made of ceramic. The brackets are designed to match the color and texture of teeth.

Since both of these braces give clear effect, some people find it hard to differentiate between them.

Here are some of the differences between Invisalign and Ceramic braces:

  1. Clear aligners are bracket-less: The Invisalign braces to not have brackets like ceramic braces.
  2. Clear aligners are more transparent: The reason behind the popularity of Invisalign braces is that they are almost invisible due to their transparent look. On the other hand, the brackets of the clear braces may blend with the color of teeth but they are not invisible.
  3. Clear aligners are removable: The Invisalign braces can be easily removed while eating, brushing and flossing. Whereas, clear braces make it difficult to eat, brush and floss as they are fixed.
  4. Ceramic braces require fewer adjustments: Once the ceramic braces are fixed to your teeth, you will need to visit your dentist in every four weeks to adjust the brackets. On the other hand, the trays of the Invisalign are required to be changed in every two weeks.
  5. Clear aligners are not for extensive cases: The clear aligners can treat less crooked teeth, gapped teeth, misaligned bites; but they cannot treat extensive cases like extremely crooked teeth, cross-bites, and malocclusions. However, for extensive cases, clear braces can work wonders. In addition to this, if you remove your Invisalign braces very frequently or fail to wear them for at least 22 hours a day, then your orthodontic treatment may not become successful. But with ceramic braces, the chances of your orthodontic treatment becoming successful are relatively higher.
  6. Clear aligners are flexible: Invisalign braces are made of plastics which make them flexible. This flexibility prevents them from chipping or breaking. On the other hand, clear braces or ceramic braces are a little brittle; therefore prone to chipping or breaking.
  7. Clear aligners are smooth: Since clear aligners are made of plastics; they are quite smooth in texture. On the other hand, clear braces are a little rough and tend to cause irritation on gums and lips.
  8. Clear aligners do not stain teeth: The Invisalign braces cover the entire tooth surface thus preventing them from stains. On the other hand, clear braces may stain the teeth if you consume foods with strong pigmentation like coffee, tea or wine and also if you smoke a lot.

What is Guided Implant Surgery?

Guided Implant Surgery

Guided Implant Surgery is a computer-guided dental implant. The guided implant surgery uses patient’s CT to plan an implant surgery. As compared to traditional dental implants surgery, guided implant surgery gives a more accurate result. In order to perform guided implant surgery, the dentist needs implant planning software, guided implant surgery kit, custom surgical templates, and cone-beam CT.

The guided implant surgery is performed in four steps. The first step requires the dentist to examine a patient’s CT. The second step is to plan treatment using implant planning software. The third steps include a customized surgical implant. The fourth and final step is performing the surgery.

What’s the purpose of the machinery and planning software used in the guided surgical site?

Cone-beam CT scanner is used by the dentist to take high-quality 3D images of a patient’s mouth. These images help the dentist to get visual detail of the mouth so as to locate the exact surgical site. Also, the cone-beam CT is safe as it utilizes less radiation.

Implant planning software is used to generate the data in DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) format. The software then converts the data into 2D and 3D thus allowing the dentist to see important anatomical structures.

Surgical template holds the information that has been planned on the planning software. The template has small sleeves that are designed to guide the drilling.

Surgical drill kit is designed according to the surgical template. The drills should fit into the sleeves of the surgical template.

What are the advantages of Guided Implant Surgery?

The guided implant surgery makes the surgery more predictable, precise and safe. This is because with guided implants the dentist can predict how much room is required for the crown. The surgical guide is designed to rest on the teeth, gums or jawbone. This limits the depth of the drill and implant. So that very less invasion takes place in the jawbone. This means guided implant surgery is more controlled as compared to traditional dental implants surgery. In addition to this, guided implant surgery minimizes bone grafts. Generally, flapless surgery is performed using this technique. Since the surgery is less invasive it requires less time to heal.

What are the disadvantages of guided implant surgery?

The guided surgery requires a clinic to invest in a good CT scan machine, implant planning software, and a surgical kit. Therefore make sure to visit a dental clinic that has high quality guided implant surgery service. It’s because the entire surgery is dependent on the machinery and surgical kits. An incorrectly planned implant, a low-quality CT scan, an incorrectly assembled surgical kit, and a wrong surgical template can lead into a lot of complications. In addition to this, the treatment planning requires a lot of time.

What Can Go Wrong With Dental Implants?

Lower Arch Rehabilitation with 6 Nobel Biocare Implants & Malo Bridge

Dental Implants are used as a replacement for missing teeth. In general, a tooth implant is risk-free but if you visit an unprofessional or less experienced dentist then you may face some complications.

Here is a list of a few complications that may occur during or after the procedure:

  • Infection at the Surgical Site

The human body is designed to reject foreign bodies. Whenever something unnatural or artificial is introduced to the human body there are chances of getting an infection. If you have poor oral hygiene routine then your chances of getting infections are higher than other patients. Presence of bacteria at the surgical site can cause severe infection. Therefore, one should always make sure to consult a good dentist before getting dental implants.

  • Insufficient Bone Support or Lack of Bone

If the dentist performs the procedure despite the lack of jawbone then your dental implant can result in failure. Lack of jawbone means there won’t be enough support for the implant. A successful implant is fused with all sides of the bone. If you have a missing tooth for a long time then chances are you already have less bone density. In such a case you should inform your dentist so as to prevent a failed implant.

  • Fracture

If you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth then you should inform your dentist about it. Clenching or grinding puts pressure on the dental implants that may lead to fracture. In addition to this incorrectly placed implant can also cause a fracture.

  • Nerve Damage

Nerve damage can occur either during or after the procedure. Some problems caused by the nerve damage are tingling in gums, lips, chin, and pain.

  • Micro-movement of the Implant

If the dental implant is not stable then micro-movements can occur. However, this problem will occur only if the artificial tooth is attached to the implant right after the surgery. Typically, an experienced dentist waits for the implant to fuse properly with the bone.

  • Allergic Reaction

Dental implants are made of biocompatible titanium. This means that your body should not reject the implant. However, if your body is allergic to titanium then you may have an allergic reaction.

Reasons for Complications

Some of the known reasons for a dental implant failure include incorrect placement of an implant, poor oral hygiene, and smoking. The signs of a tooth implant failure are loosing of an implant, inflamed or recessed gums, difficulty in chewing, severe pain and foul smell from the implant.

Treatment of Complications

The techniques used to treat these complications include replacing implants, bone or gum grafting, and replacing implants with dentures.

Invisalign: Only by Invisalign Certified Experts, New Delhi

Cost of Clear Aligners

In 1999, Align Technology brought a revolution in the world of cosmetic dentistry by introducing Invisalign braces. These invisible braces were designed for people who find it awkward to use metal braces. The product was already approved by the FDA in 1998 for marketing purposes. The reason behind its approval was that despite made of plastic the product was safe and effective. However, in the present time, a lot of non-certified companies are also designing Invisalign braces or clear aligners. Non-certified products do not guarantee the safety and effectiveness of treatment. Buying Invisalign braces from non-certified companies can cause more harm to your teeth and gums. Therefore, one should always make sure to buy Invisalign from certified companies.

In addition to this, Invisalign requires expertise that only a certified expert can exhibit. One should not depend on regular orthodontist to get Invisalign braces. It is because the Invisalign system is completely dependent on software for its proper function. This means that your orthodontist should have knowledge about the Invisalign system so as to prescribe your Invisalign treatment.

According to Align Technology (the parent company of Invisalign), the Invisalign system consists of virtual modeling software, rapid manufacturing processes and mass customization, and clear aligners. The Invisalign-trained orthodontists have education and tools to provide Invisalign treatment in their dental clinics.

The Invisalign aligners are made from polyurethane plastic. The polyurethane plastic makes the products almost invisible and clear. These virtually clear aligners or invisible braces are used to treat minor orthodontic issues like overbite, under-bite, cross-bite, open-bite, gap teeth and crowded teeth.

The virtually clear aligners in the Invisalign system have some major advantages over regular braces. Firstly, the aligners are nearly invisible thus giving you the confidence to smile. Secondly, clear braces are easily removable as they don’t have brackets like traditional braces. This means you can now maintain your oral hygiene without worrying. You can remove the aligners before eating or brushing your teeth. However, frequent removal of aligners may not treat your orthodontic problem more effectively. Therefore one needs to make sure that he/she wears the aligners for at least 22 hours a day. Thirdly, aligners ensure free movement of your teeth without any pain or irritation. In addition to this, the treatment lasts for 24 months. Your Invisalign-trained orthodontist may give you Invisalign trays for the next few months so as to reduce your dental visits.

Only your Invisalign-trained orthodontist or general practitioner dentist can give you correct information on using Invisalign braces. Therefore, ask your orthodontist if he/she is Invisalign-trained or not.

How To Find A Best Implants Dentist in India?

Upper Arch Rehabilitation

Dental Implants are nowadays becoming increasingly popular over false teeth like denture, crowns, and bridges. The reason is that a tooth implant is a permanent solution to one or more missing teeth.

But what are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the metal frames or posts that are implanted surgically in the jawbones. Once the implants are fixed in the jawbone then artificial teeth are mounted on the metal frames.

What’s the purpose of Dental Implants?

Earlier, false teeth like bridges, crowns and dentures were used as a replacement for missing teeth. But using false teeth can be really uncomfortable. False teeth are not attached to the jawbones. Since false teeth are not fixed they tend to lose while speaking or chewing food. Therefore, in present-day dental implants are used as a replacement for missing teeth instead of false teeth. Since dental implants are fixed into the jawbones they provide stability to artificial teeth.

What are the advantages of Dental Implants?

There are two major advantages of getting dental implants. Firstly, leaving the space of missing tooth empty can cause jawbone deterioration. Dental implants protect the loss of jawbone and also prevent teeth from shifting. Secondly, getting dental implants can improve your appearance. They look like natural teeth and are easy to maintain. You just need to maintain good oral hygiene. Moreover, dental implants are designed to last longer.

What are the types of Dental Implants?

Endosteal and Subperiosteal are two types of dental implants. Endosteal implants have a small screw-like shape and are made of titanium. These dental implants are implanted beneath the gums. The subperiosteal implants are implanted above the jawbone. These implants are used for patients with less healthy gums.

Risk-Free Procedures

There are different kinds of procedure to perform a dental implant. The common procedures include bone augmentation, sinus lift, and ridge expansion. The other techniques used for dental implants are 3D imaging, immediate load dental implants, mini dental implants, and all-on-4 dental implants.

Dental implants do not have any risks. All of these procedures are pain-free and risk-free.

Where to find the best Dental Implant dentist in India?

Nowadays there are a lot of dental clinics in India. Certified dental clinics across the country have made it possible to find an experienced dentist in India. So, if you are looking for the best dentist in Delhi or even in any other city then you can easily find one. Dr. Kathuria’s Dentistry has one of the finest dentists in India.

Enhance Your SMILE Instantly with Dental Veneers

Smile Makeover with Dental Veneers

If you want to get an instant smile makeover then you can opt for dental veneers. However, very few people know about this procedure.

Here’s what you need to learn about dental veneers.

Dental Veneers

Dental Veneers refer to the shells or covers that are customized to fit the patient’s teeth. The shells cover the front surface of teeth so as to improve their appearance by preventing them from stains. Dental veneers can be used as is a placement for dental crowns. The treatment is permanent and can enhance your smile instantly. The dental veneers are made from small pieces of porcelain. Therefore, they are also called porcelain veneers.

The purpose and advantages of Porcelain Veneers

The purpose of dental veneers is to straighten teeth by hiding masking irregularities of teeth, to repair chipped or broken teeth, to close the gap between teeth, to hide stains and to improve the alignment of teeth. However, dental veneers cannot be used for replacing missing teeth or to treat crooked teeth.

The porcelain veneers are durable therefore they last for long. They are hard to get stained and have a natural-looking appearance. The porcelain veneers are wear-resistant therefore they can easily last between 10 to 20 years. They require less follow up procedures.

The disadvantages and maintenance of Dental Veneers

Since some of the enamel has been removed; the patient may experience discomfort or sensitivity for a few days. If the procedure is done carefully and the bonding is weak then the veneer may start to chip off. In addition to this, getting veneers do not eliminate the risk of developing cavities. If the patient does not maintain good oral hygiene then he/she can still develop cavities with dental veneers.

Porcelain veneers do not require special cleaning. It is easy to maintain porcelain veneers with good oral hygiene. The patient needs to brush and floss his/her teeth regularly. It is best to use non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste. In addition to this, the patient should take precaution and avoid biting nails and chewing hard objects like pen, pencil, and ice etc. It’s because the veneers can tend to break or chip off under pressure.

The procedure for Porcelain Veneers

The dentist first removes a small amount of enamel to reshape teeth. After this, the dentist sends an impression of teeth to the lab. The impression is used to customize shell for teeth. Once the shell is ready, the dentist will place it on the teeth and bond it to teeth.

How to Straighten Teeth Without Braces?

Cost of Clear Aligners

In present times, dentistry has made it possible for anyone to get a smile makeover. We all have different kinds of dental issues – crooked tooth, misaligned tooth, chipped a tooth, fractured tooth, knocked-out-tooth, missing tooth, and pigmented tooth etc.  This different kind of dental issues requires different kinds of procedures to transform your smile. Cosmetic dentistry provides a solution to all kinds of dental issues.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is an umbrella term used for various types of dental treatments that provide professional oral care. The cosmetic procedures include braces, dental veneers, dental implants, cosmetic bonding, teeth whitening and cosmetic contouring etc. These procedures are used by the dentists to treat gums disease and to straighten misaligned teeth.

Following procedures are used to straighten teeth without braces:

Dental Veneers (also called porcelain veneers) are customized shells that are designed to cover the surface of teeth. The procedure requires removing enamel so that the veneers can be placed on the teeth. The purpose of veneers is to hide stains and irregularities of teeth, to cover chipped or misshaped teeth, to improve the appearance of teeth by making them look straight and aligned.

Cosmetic bonding is a temporary procedure that uses a putty-like substance called composite resin to mask the imperfections of teeth. The resin is bonded to the tooth to make your smile more appealing. The dentist matches the resin to the color of your tooth. After this, the resin is prepared and applied on the tooth. The resin is then polished and hardened using laser or UV light to achieve desired results. This procedure is used to treat chipped, decayed, fractured and pigmented tooth. In some cases, it is also used to fill the gaps between teeth and to protect an exposed root of a tooth due to receding gums.

Cosmetic contouring or enameloplasty is a procedure used to reshape teeth by eliminating minor imperfections. The procedure requires gentle removal of your tooth’s enamel. The dentist uses lasers and drills to change the length and shape of the tooth. After reshaping or contouring the tooth, the dentist will polish it to make your smile more pleasant. This painless procedure is permanent and gives instant results. This procedure works wonders for those who have a good smile but wish to get there shorter or make them appear even. However, if you have chipped, crooked or misaligned teeth then you’ll have to opt for other dental procedures like veneers, braces, and bonding.

Clear aligners or Invisalign are the kind of braces that are designed to be invisible. These braces are made of polyurethane plastic. If you have minor orthodontic problems, then clear aligners can be used as a replacement for traditional metal braces.

Dental Implants: Myths & Facts

Nobel Biocare Dental Implants

Dental Implants are great options for people who have one or more missing teeth. Getting dental implants can improve your chewing and speech function. However, people are afraid of getting a tooth implant due to certain myths. It’s because people are not aware of the facts associated with dental implants.

Here are some facts that debunking the myths associated with tooth implant:

Myth: Getting dental implants is painful.

Fact: While performing the surgery your doctor will give you anesthesia to numb your teeth and gums. Dental implants are not as painful as you may think despite the fact that it is a surgical procedure. However, you’ll feel a slight pressure at the site of the procedure but not pain.

Myth: Dental implants are extremely expensive.

Fact: You may feel that false teeth are better than a dental implant. But not getting dental implants can cause more damage. So, it’s actually a one-time investment that will save you from paying for other dental problems.

Myth: Tooth implant comes with long-term risks.

Fact: The procedure requires surgery. This means you may have to face minor risks like swollen gums, infection at surgical site etc. But this will happen only if you don’t take antibiotics or other medicines prescribed by your dentist. The whole purpose of those post-treatment medications is to prevent infections. So, yes there are minor risks involved but they are not long term.

Myth: Dental implants surgery takes a long time to heal.

Fact: No. Dental implants surgery does not take a long time to heal, especially with the medicines prescribed by your dentist. The general time frame for recovery is up to 6 months depending on the patient to patient. But if you take your medicines regularly and follow a good oral hygiene routine then you may heal in less than 6 months.

Myth: Tooth implant is prone to failure.

Fact: The rate of dental implant failure is very low. Dental implants are made from biocompatible titanium which means your body will not reject them. Dental implants are safe. The only way your surgery may fail is if you visit an unprofessional for your treatment.

Myth: Dental implants require special care and maintenance.

Fact: Dental implants do not require special cleaning and maintenance. You simply need to maintain good oral hygiene. You can treat your dental implant like natural teeth. Simply brushing and flossing your teeth will keep them clean.

Myth: Dental implants are visible.

Fact: Dental implants look like natural teeth. This means your dental implant will not stand as an odd one out amongst your natural teeth. No one will notice your tooth implant unless you tell someone about it.

Oral Cancer and Its Treatment in India

Oral Cancer Detection Medicine

There was a time when India had a negligible number of treatment centers for oral cancer. At present time, India has a lot of treatment centers for oral cancer. Most of the treatment centers have advanced machines. The advanced equipment has made oral cancer detection possible at an early stage.

What is Oral Cancer and what are its types?

Oral cancer or mouth cancer refers to cancer caused in the mouth. Oral cancer can occur on the roof and floor of the mouth, tongue, lips, and gums, and inside lining of the cheeks. Mouth cancer comes under the category of head and neck cancers. Types of oral cancer include buccal mucosa cancer (cancer affecting the inside of the cheeks), lip cancer, tongue cancer, gum cancer, salivary gland cancer, floor of the mouth and hard palate cancer (roof of the mouth cancer).

Symptoms of oral cancer

The symptoms of cancer include loose teeth, lumps or bumps on the lining of the mouth, thickening or swelling on the lips and other areas of mouth, a sore that doesn’t heal, tongue and ear pain, pain or stiffness in jaws, sore throat, difficulty in speaking, pain while chewing and swallowing food, poorly fitting false teeth, development of red or white patched in the mouth, a feeling that something is stuck in the throat and dramatic weight loss.

Cause and risk factors

Mouth cancer occurs when there is an unusual change (mutations) in the cells of lips, gums tongue etc. These changes result into formation of cancer cells after the healthy cells are dead. Factors that promote the growth of oral cancer include tobacco, alcohol, sun exposure and a sexually transmitted virus called human papillomavirus (HPV).

How to prevent or inhibit oral cancer?

Mouth cancer cannot be prevented. However, it is possible to slow down its growth by taking certain measures. In order to inhibit the growth of oral cancer, one should stop the consumption of alcohol and tobacco in any form. One should protect the skin of lips and rest of the face from excessive sun exposure by using sunscreen. You can also wear a hat or cover your face with a cotton cloth. Make sure to eat plenty of green vegetables, fruits and drink enough water to keep your body hydrated. In addition to this, maintain appointments with your dentist. In case of any doubt, your dentist can suggest a diagnosis for oral cancer detection.

Diagnosis and Treatment                                                                               

Diagnosis of oral cancer includes tests like – biopsy, a barium swallow and meal test, mouth and throat examination, endoscopy and X-rays.

Treatment of oral cancer includes surgical and non-surgical procedures like – biological therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Why Dental Implant Bridges Better Than Dentures?

Dental Bridges

With the advancement in the usage of advanced technology in the field of dentistry, there is an increase in the evolvement of dental procedures for the welfare of smiles of patients. This has lead to introduction of different types of dental procedures. One of the in-demand dental procedures are dental implant bridges. In recent times, dental implants bridges are utilized more than the dentures due to a certain aspect of the former dental procedure. In this blog, you will find about the most appreciated benefits of the dental implant bridges over dentures.

  • Better retention: Retention of the dentures is one of the most significant issues in individuals who have missing teeth. Dental implant bridges prove to be useful in terms of retention as they are a permanent solution for missing teeth. At the time of chewing food or talking to an individual, there are high chances of full mouth or partial removable dentures to get displaced with the movement of the muscles and tongue, which is not the case with dental Implants bridges.
  • Healthy adjacent tooth: In case of dentures, adjacent tooth is affected especially in case of the partial dentures. In partial dentures, the adjacent tooth is used to take support, which may compromise it later. But in case of Implants dentures, they remain untouched.
  • Bone Preservation: Dental implants bridges prove to be helpful for the patients to make sure that bone preservation is maintained even in the absence of natural teeth. Implants bridge can be helpful in preserving the present bone in the mouth of the patient especially in case of elderly patients. Dentures do not aid in the maintenance of the preservation of bone in the patient leading to disuse atrophy
  • Aesthetics: Dental implant bridges are known as one of the best replacement for missing teeth due to their excellent aesthetic features in comparison to the traditional dentures. In case of traditional dentures, aesthetics cannot be maintained. But in case of implants bridges, maintenance of aesthetics occurs efficiently for several years after the completion of the placement of the dental bridges with implants.
  • Chewing efficiency: The Fixed teeth over dental implants have 85% more chewing efficeincy than the most well made dentures.
  • High success rate: Finally, you will be happy to know that dental bridges in India have got excellent success rates. Dental implant bridges have a higher percentage of success when compared to dentures. Even the patient satisfaction in recent times is much higher in case of dental bridges than dentures.

 

Thus, dental Implants bridges in India are in high demand due to their key features and benefits over other dental solutions such as dentures. If you have missing teeth, then you need to book an appointment with an experienced dentist as soon as possible and get your missing teeth treated. Prosthodontists like Dr.Puneet Kathuria have years of experience to take care of your Dental implants Bridges needs. He is available at one of the best dental implants clinic in India, Dr.Kathuria’s Dentistry. Call toll free at 1800-11-7272 for appointments.