Oral and maxillofacial surgery is that specialty which involves the diagnosis, surgical and medical treatment of diseases, injuries, deformities, and defects of the mouth, jaws and facial region. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is also specialized in treating facial pain, facial injuries, TMJ disorders and various implant procedures.

Some individuals have malocclusions (improper bites) from teeth that are crowded or misaligned – orthodontics treatment is an option that can help. Orthodontics treatment straightens teeth to improve overall oral health such as bite, jaw function, muscle tension, and overall appearance. If you have a child, orthodontics screening is recommended by the age of seven so that your dentist can evaluate the development of your child’s oral cavity (mouth), and to determine what, if any, course of action should be taken for your child’s oral health.

Orthodontics can treat a number of issues :

• Crowded teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Cross bite
• Overjet
• Openbite
• Large gaps between teeth

There are a number of methods available for orthodontics treatment. Your dentist can assist you to determine which method is the best option for you or your child.

Orthodontics Methods :

Braces

Braces align and straighten teeth with regard to bite. They also improve overall dental health. Very often used to correct an overbite, underbite, cross bite, open bite, malocclusion, crooked teeth, and various other flaws pertaining to the teeth or jaw, braces are a popular orthodontic treatment among adolescents and a growing number of adults.

Headgear

Headgear is used to guide the direction of tooth moment or jaw growth in a young individual whose mouth is still in the stages of growth and therefore more easily conforms to healthy alignment.

Removable appliances

Removable appliances are not often as precise as braces, however, they are still able to guide the movement of a tooth or group of teeth. They may be used before braces, in conjunction with braces or simply employed alone to treat a specific orthodontic issue.

Retainers

Once braces have been removed, a retainer helps to keep teeth in their proper position. Retainers may be attached to teeth, or they may be removable. Your dentist will let you know for how long the retainer must be worn each day.

At Safa Dental Clinic, our dental team is caring and knowledgeable. We believe children welcome dental visits, especially when visiting the dentist from an early age onward. Our dentists handle orthodontic problems with care and precision so your child has the best results possible.

Oral surgery

Jaw, or orthognathic surgery may be needed to properly align the upper and lower jaw having discrepancies. If your dentist believes you require jaw surgery, he/she will likely refer you to an oral or maxillofacial surgeon.

A root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, removes infected, damaged and dead pulp from the inside structure of your tooth.

If bacteria enter the inside of a tooth via a deep cavity or a crack in a filling, it can lead to infection and cause the tooth to abscess. If the pulp inside the tooth is infected beyond the repair, it may have to be removed.

During a root canal treatment the dentist will remove the pulp, clean and enlarge the root canal system, then fill and seal the canal with a permanent filling.

An untreated tooth can pose a serious threat to your oral health and should be addressed as soon as possible.

Direct fillings are able to be accomplished in one appointment with no need for a return visit for further work.

Composite Fillings

A composite resin filling, also referred to as white filling,is used to fill in a hole left in a tooth as a result of a cavity.

Your dentist will clean all decay from the tooth, apply a bonding adhesive and fill the inside of the hole left by the cavity with thin layers of composite resin. The dentist will then hold a specialized light over the tooth to cure (harden) each layer and eventually shape the filling to fit the tooth allowing it to feel natural and blend with the rest of your teeth.

Glass Ionomer Filling

Less often, a glass ionomer material may be used as a filling. However, any filling consisting of glass ionomer is used only in teeth which you do not typically bite down hard with. More modern forms of this type of filling may be stronger and last longer. Research is underway to evaluate the effectiveness and durability.

Porcelain Fillings

Porcelain, the most common choice of dental ceramic used by dentists, are durable, yet somewhat brittle, and blend easily with natural teeth. Porcelain and metal can be combined to make a strong, tooth-colored crown.

Dental Crowns are used to cover or “cap” a tooth that has suffered damaged in order to protect it from further damage and restore the natural appearance of a healthy tooth. 

If you have previously had a root canal, a large filling, a broken tooth, or have currently have teeth that are miscoloured, misshapen, or misaligned you may qualify as a candidate for dental crowns work.

Dental Crowns can be made from various materials, including metal and porcelain, the latter being the more popular choice in modern dentistry because of its resilience and the ability of the color to blend seamlessly with natural teeth. 

As with any dental treatment, it’s vital to take good care of your teeth if you have a dental crowns by brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. With dental crowns, it is also important to avoid biting down on hard objects, or using teeth to open or cut things. However, it should be noted, it’s not safe to do these things with your natural teeth either.

The best teeth are always your own teeth and your Brampton dentist will take every measure possible to ensure your natural teeth remain healthy and intact. However, in instances in which a tooth has suffered extensive damage, or is physically lost completely, it will need to be replaced. Dental Bridgesand dentures are two options to restore a beautiful smile after teeth have been badly damaged or lost. It’s important to replace a lost tooth with an artificial tooth as soon as possible to avoid the exposed tissue becoming infected and to prevent surrounding teeth from drifting out of position which may lead to other oral health issues.

A dental bridges is able to replace one or multiple missing teeth and is held firmly in place by the surrounding, healthy teeth. As it is a permanent treatment, a dental bridge cannot be removed once fixated in the mouth. 

The best teeth are always your own teeth and your Brampton dentist will take every measure possible to ensure your natural teeth remain healthy and intact. However, in instances in which a tooth has suffered extensive damage, or is physically lost completely, it will need to be replaced. Dental Bridgesand dentures are two options to restore a beautiful smile after teeth have been badly damaged or lost. It’s important to replace a lost tooth with an artificial tooth as soon as possible to avoid the exposed tissue becoming infected and to prevent surrounding teeth from drifting out of position which may lead to other oral health issues.

A dental bridges is able to replace one or multiple missing teeth and is held firmly in place by the surrounding, healthy teeth. As it is a permanent treatment, a dental bridge cannot be removed once fixated in the mouth. 

• A dental implants is a small root device, typically constructed from titanium and used to replace a missing tooth root and serve as the anchor to support a replacement tooth.
• If a tooth is lost, the bone surrounding that tooth naturally shrinks and will be lost. Because anbonds to bone, the bone is less likely to shrink. Dental Implants may also be used to support dentures.
• To qualify as a candidate for one or more dental implants you must be in good health with healthy gums and a strong jaw bone in order to support the dental implant. Your implant dentists will be able to discuss your options with you and recommend whether or not an dental implant is a viable option for the betterment overall oral health.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is a bacterial infection that accounts for the demineralization of a tooth’s enamel due to the production of acid – the result of bacterial fermentation of food debris that has accumulated on the tooth’s surface. 

When demineralization exceeds the production of saliva and other factors such as calcium and toothpastes with fluoride, the enamel progressively breaks down and creates holes in the teeth, also known as cavities. 

Preventing Tooth Decay

Prevention is the best method to battle tooth decay. Proper oral hygiene habits practiced regularly, as well as eating a well-balanced diet and regular visits to your dentist are all musts. 

Tooth Decay

One of the main causes of tooth decay is buildup of plaque on the tooth creating an environment in which bacteria will eat away at tooth enamel, cause inflammation and/or bleeding of the gums, and induce infection within the inner tissues of the tooth – the pulp and roots. 

If left untreated, the decay process will cause gums to pull away from the teeth, lead to infection, eat away at the underlying bone structure, and eventual loosening of the teeth and tooth loss. 

Inside an infected tooth, decay will gradually destroy the dentin (inner layer) and the pulp containing blood vessels, nerves and other root tissues. 

Foods and beverages rich in sugar and carbonated beverages encourage plaque to form. This includes juice which often has high sugar content, though is often considered as a substance that may be harmful to the health of your teeth.

Looking for teeth whitening? Ali Dentistry performs teeth whitening treatment to the patients in Brampton, Georgetown and Caledon. Call Us today for teeth whitening. Over time teeth may become stained or just naturally darken with age. A variety of teeth whitening options are available to safely and effectively rejuvenate your smile, all of which fall into two categories:

Surface Whiteners

The majority of these products are whitening toothpastes or chewing gums with special abrasives incorporated that improve the product’s ability to remove surface stains. These products unlikely to harm your teeth, however, their effectiveness is limited to surface stains.

Cosmetic dentistry can not only improve the health and look of your smile, but it can help you to gain more confidence.As cosmetic dental treatments, dental bonding and dental veneers may be implemented to remedy an oral health issue, or to enhance the overall appearance of your smile.

Dental Veneers are applied to the entire front surface of a tooth, whereas dental bonding is applied to a smaller portion of the tooth. Both dental bonding & dental veneers are best cosmetic options.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is the process in which a composite resin matching the tooth’s natural hue is used to restore a tooth that has damage, such as a chip or fracture for example. Dental Bonding can also improve the appearance of your teeth by covering stains, reducing the size of spaces between teeth or reshaping a misshapen tooth.

Dental Veneers

Dental Veneers are thin porcelain or acrylic shells that are bonded to the front of teeth of an individual whose teeth may be chipped, stained, discolored, crooked, unevenly spaced, or misshapen providing a brand new, beautiful smile.

Depending on the dental issue at hand, dental veneers may not be the first treatment your dentist opts for in terms of your overall oral health. Should you have a serious underlying dental health problem, such as tooth decay or periodontal disease, treatment for that issue will have to be administered before considering the option of dental veneers.

Oral care is important every day, and particularly so after having undergone oral surgery.

Always follow the advice given to you by your dentist or oral surgeon, and should you experience any of the following issues after oral surgery, contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately: 

• Excessive bleeding that persists four hours or more following surgery
• Prolonged pain for a day or more following oral surgery.
• Increased swelling for two days or more following oral surgery
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever

Pain

After receiving a local anesthetic that freezes the area of your mouth on which surgery will take place, try not to bite your cheek, lip or tongue while frozen to avoid injury. 

Freezing will wear off a few hours following surgery, after which it’s normal to experience some pain or discomfort. The level of discomfort will depend on the type of surgery underwent, as well as your body’s ability to recover. 

You are likely to experience the most pain during the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours after surgery. Try to rest during this time. 

Some soreness, tenderness or discomfort may linger for a few days afterward around the area in your mouth where the surgery took place – this is normal. 

What to do:

• Talk to your dentist or oral surgeon. He/she may prescribe medication to help with the pain and an antibiotic to stave off infection.
• Call your dentist or oral surgeon if the pain persists for a prolonged period of time, or worsens.
• Follow the advice of your dentist or oral surgeon, as well as your pharmacist when taking prescribed medication.

What not to do:

• Do not take more medicine than prescribed.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking medication.
• Do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery if you are on medication that could cause drowsiness or alter your awareness in any way.

Bleeding

Following surgery, a gauze pad will be placed in your mouth to reduce bleeding and encourage the blood to clot. 

The gauze should be left in place for an hour following surgery. It’s okay to hold the pad firmly in place using your teeth, but refrain from chewing on it. 

It is normal for bleeding to continue an hour or two following surgery, after which the area may continue to “ooze” for up to twenty-four hours. If you re unable to control the bleeding after four or more hours however, contact your dentist or oral surgeon.

What to do:

• Keep firm, constant pressure on the gauze pad covering the wound – this can be done by closing your teeth on the pad.
• Leave the pad in place for at least an hour following oral surgery.
• If bleeding persists past an hour, replace the used gauze pad with a fresh one and reaffirm pressure on the area for another hour.
• Rest while recovering and keep your head raised as it slows the circulation of blood to the area that is healing, allowing the blood to clot.
• Brush and floss teeth as usual, but be gentle and take care to avoid the site of the surgery so as not to aggravate it and possibly reignite bleeding. Also use a minimal amount of water.
• A full day following surgery, gently rinse your mouth with warm water. You dentist or oral surgeon may also suggest you add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water each time you rinse. Do this four to five times a day for three to four days. This helps keep the wounded area clean and free of infection.
• If bleeding persists beyond four hours, contact your dentist or oral surgeon.

What not to do:

• Do not rinse your mouth within the first twenty-four hours following surgery.
• Do not chew on the gauze pad or suck on the wound.
• Avoid hot liquids such as coffee, tea or soup as they tend to increase blood circulation and could restart the bleeding.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco for at least the first two weeks following surgery. They delay the healing process and leave you more susceptible to infection.
• Do not strain yourself for at least two full days following surgery.
• Do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery if you are on medication that could cause drowsiness or alter your awareness in any way.

Swelling

Swelling in the mouth and face up to twenty-four hours following oral surgery is common. In some cases, swelling may even last five to seven days and you may experience bruising up to ten days followingthe procedure.

What to do:

• Place a cold compress on the swollen area. Hold the compress in position for ten minutes then remove the compress for ten minutes. Repeat.
• Continue this process for the first twenty-four hours following surgery.
• No sooner than the second day, place a warm compress on the affected area to increase blood flow and help decrease swelling. Take care not to use anything hot enough to burn your skin.
• If the swelling worsens beyond forty-eight hours following surgery, contact your dentist or oral surgeon. Do the same if swelling does not subside after seven days.

What not to do:

• Do not apply heat to the affected area during the first twenty-four hours following surgery as this will worsen the swelling.

Sore jaw

Depending on the type of procedure performed, you may find it difficult to manoeuver your jaw for up to ten days after your oral surgery.  

What to do:

• If the muscles of your jaw are not overly tender, massage them gently with a warm, moist facecloth.
• Eat foods that are easy to chew or consume such, such as shakes.
• If you have difficulty opening and closing your jaw, or the muscles of your jaw are still sore seven to ten days following surgery, contact your dentist or oral surgeon.

What not to do:

• Do not force your mouth open.
• Avoid chewing gum and eating hard or chewy foods.
• Avoid hot liquids such as coffee, tea or soup.

Invisalign is the modern and effective alternative to traditional braces as a proprietary method of orthodontic treatment that utilizes clear, removable teeth aligners that straighten misaligned teeth. 

Invisalign treatment consists of a series of aligners which are replaced every two weeks. The aligners are designed with the exact calculations of your mouth and serve to gradually shift the position of your teeth to where they should be and improve your bite. 

Straighter teeth have a multitude of advantages:

• Healthier gums
• Improved chewing ability
• Improved pronunciation and speech
• Easier cleaning
• Decreased risk of dental trauma from abnormal wear of the teeth
• Less stress on the supporting jaw bone and joints
• A boost in confidence with a more beautiful smile

Invisalign offers unique advantages over traditional forms of orthodontic treatment, such as removability for easy cleanings, the choice to freely eat the foods you desire without the worry of particles and debris becoming stuck in the brackets of your braces. As well, there is no metal to irritate your mouth and dental cleanings are quicker and easier than with traditional orthodontics treatments.

Invisalign is an effortless way to transform your smile without upsetting your daily routine. With a plan devised by you and your dentist, and because your Invisalign system is custom-made for your teeth alone, you know you’ll end up with a smile that truly fits

The third and final set of molars to emerge from the gums, in the back corners of the upper and lower jaw, is your wisdom teeth.

Many people have their wisdom teeth removed altogether as a preventative measure of oral health care. Even if your wisdom teeth have not caused a problem, your dentist can help you decide if an extraction treatment is in the best interest of your dental health.

For patients with no sign of discomfort, you may not need to remove problem-free, wisdom teeth. Your dentist, however will need to monitor your wisdom teeth during routine dental checkups to ensure the wisdom teeth are not causing other teeth to become misaligned. 

If you have not had a dental visit in the last six to twelve months, call  today to book your appointment.

Periodontal Treatments and Procedures. … They receive up to three additional years of specialized training in periodontal disease treatment in both non-surgical treatments and periodontal plastic surgery procedures. Periodontists are also experts in replacing missing teeth with dental implants.

Pediatric dentists promote the dental health of children as well as serve as educational resources for parents. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics that a dental visit should occur within six months after the presence of the first tooth or by a child’s first birthday. The AAPD has said that it is important to establish a comprehensive and accessible ongoing relationship between the dentist and patient – referring to this as the patient’s “dental home”.This is because early oral examination aids in the detection of the early stages of tooth decay. Early detection is essential to maintain oral health, modify aberrant habits, and treat as needed and as simply as possible.