☆ My ♥ Dentistry ☆

Another Challenge Case

2010-10-08T22:32:00.021+08:00

Root canal treated on first state

Gum surgery done. Root canal treated teeth are trimmed down.

Temporary crowns placed

The temporary crowns will be left for 2 months. Once the gums have stabilised, we will take impressions for the emax crowns.

And here are the emax crowns, back form the lab.

Emax crowns tried and cemented in the mouth.

Some reddening due to irritation from the temporary crowns.

The gums will bounce back in no time.

Screw-Retained Implant Crowns

2010-04-18T12:16:00.009+08:00

This patient already has a screw-retained crown on his lower right side. We are placing 2 more screw-retained crowns for him.

Here are the crowns. The screw holes can be blocked out after the screws have been tightened.

The biggest advantage for this type of crowns is that the crowns can be removed at any time for cleaning and/or repair and then replaced in the mouth.

A screw-retained crown is not cemented but screwed into the implant.

All it takes is a special screwdriver to place and remove

A screw attaches the abutment and the crown to the implant.

A screw attaches the abutment and the crown to the implant.

Cost of Bonding

2010-03-19T15:44:00.007+08:00

This young lady has a gap between her two front teeth.
We've decided to do bonding for her.

~~ Before ~~

This gaps is very obvious when she smiles or talks.

Composite resin cured over 2 front teeth to close the gap.
~~ After ~~

Under more natural lighting conditions and her dehydrated teeth given an opportunity to moisten, the bonding is virtually indistinguishable.

This treatment cost her $$200.

Cost of Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)

2010-03-10T17:07:00.002+08:00

If you are looking to do the root canal treatment in Singapore. Yes, you should ask for the cost of the treatment but the cheap root canal might not be the cheapest in the long run. Don't go to a dentist with whom don't have experience or you are not familiar just to get a cheap treatment. The better you should search to be sure first but I didn't saying that the dentist with the cheap fee won't do a good job .

How much does root canal treatment cost ? (in Singapore)

Central incisor, Lateral incisor (front tooth) about $ 250 - $400
Canine $300 - $500
First premolar, Second premolar $400 - $600
First molar , Second molar $600 - $950
(This price for GP )

For Endodontics Specialist about $800 - $2000

Another Instant Orthodontics

2010-03-08T13:19:00.014+08:00

This lady had always known that something was wrong with her smile. She thought it was just her protruding front teeth. Projected results of pushing her teeth back didn't help her see a favourable outcome. She also insisted on no braces.

She consulted us and was given a proposal for an extreme makeover incorporating gum surgery, root canal and emax crowns.

The patient could tell that her upper lip and teeth were not "normal". This was her her very self-conscious "smile".

This is what she would look like if she had tried to smile naturally. Simply crowning her teeth backwards would not have helped much.

This is the gumline we thought she should have. All 4 front teeth must also be drastically shortened and pushed back.

The patient is ready for crown lengthening surgery

Gum and bone were removed.

Suturing was done and her front teeth (root canal treated), were trimmed back and shortened.

It's barely 2 weeks after surgery. Healing is satisfactory. She is still hesitant about smiling, but this is roughly where her new gumline will be. The final exact position of her gums will only be known in 2 months. That's why we can only place temporaries.

Her temporaries will be removed in 2 months for impression taking.

Sleeping Implants

2010-03-03T12:12:00.003+08:00

Socket Preservation With Sleeping Implants $1250 by Medisave (no cash)

When you lose a tooth, you don't just lose a tooth. Bone surrounding the tooth will shrivel away as it becomes redundant.

And bone is everything in dental implantology. The longer you delay implant treatment, the more your bone will shrink, complicating implant surgery and restoration in the future. It's a pity that many patients have been unable to have implants placed soon after they had their teeth extracted due to various personal reasons and economic conditions.

When these people are finally ready to restore their lost teeth, these teeth may have been missing for many years. Bone deficiency may result in painful, complicated surgery and a high risk of implant failure which advanced practitioners experienced with challenging cases are so familiar with.

What is the best way to prevent your precious bone from melting away like an ice cube? You place an implant into that spot within 2 months after extraction. In some cases, we can even insert the implant on the day of the extraction. That implant can stay sleeping underneath your gums until you are ready to restore it.

How much does that cost you? Just $300 in cold cash.

No, we're not kidding. For implant surgery, you can use up to $1250 from your Medisave account. When you are ready to restore the implant (after graduation, landing a job etc), we can restore it for you for $1800. Or if you want another dentist to restore it, we wouldn't mind either. We just don't want people to lose their precious bone simply because they can't afford implants at a certain time in their lives.

Cosmetic Emergency

2010-03-01T10:48:00.010+08:00

Is there such a thing as a cosmetic emergency? There sure is.

This is what her tooth looks like. Root canal treatment was started but not completed. The patient left the tooth as it was until it fractured.

We completed the root canal for her, placed a couple of metal pins into the root filling and built a composite crown. Notice the greyish colouration from the metal pins.

We saw the patient again when the root filling has settled in. A fibre post was cemented inside the canal. The core of the crown was built up.

A temporary crown was made. The greyish colouration is no longer obvious as we have replaced metal pins with a fibre post.

An accurate rubber impression was sent to the lab. We shall wait for the final emax crown to be completed. Stay tuned.

Final emax crown completed after Chinese New Year

Final emax crown.

What are the stages of gum disease?

2010-02-24T13:31:00.003+08:00

Gingivitis is the earliest stage, a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums. Left untreated, gingivitis may progress to a more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis.

Gingivitis - Gums are mildly inflamed, may appear red or swollen and may bleed during brushing.

Periodontitis - Gums begin to separate and recede from the teeth. This allows plaque to move towards the roots, supporting fibers and bone.

Advanced Periodontitis - Supporting fibers and bone are destroyed. Teeth become loose and may need to be removed.

10 steps for diabetics to achieve a healthier mouth.

2010-02-22T12:55:00.003+08:00

Is effective in reducing gum problems and keeping your gums in good health. The following are 10 steps to help you achieve a brighter smile and healthier body:

1. Oral health is an essential part of general health.

2. Self-identify signs & symptoms of gum disease:

Bleeding gums , Swollen gums, Bad breath, Receding gums/tooth sensitivity, Shaky/loose teeht.

3. Inform your dentist if you:
have Diabeties Mellitus, Have relevant family medical history, have Heart disease,
are on long-term medication, use tobacco/smoke, have any other medical conditions.

4. Request for gum check-up (periodontal screening) to be performed as an essential part of your regular (at least twice yearly) dental check - up.

5. Please be aware that gum disease is an important complication of diabetes and uncontrolled gum disease
may worsen your diabetic condition.

6. Bacteria in plaque are the main cause of gum disease.
- Gum disease can be controlled by the effective removal of plaque by the following measures:
- Brush correctly twice a day with an appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Floss/clean in between the teeth once daily
- Chang toothbrush as necessary (2-3 months)
- Clean your tongue
- Oral rinse as advised by dentists

7. Stop smoking, eat healthy and exercise regularly for oral and general health.

8. Gum disease should be controlled prior to other dental treatments (e.g. orthodontic treatments, dentures,
crowns, bridges, and implants).

9. Seek regular medical and dental check-ups. Comply with long term maintenance care (every 3 to 6 months) as advised.

10. Healthy lifestyle and healthy gums leads to healthy body.

Is there such a thing as a cosmetic emergency? There sure is.

2010-02-09T12:41:00.010+08:00

This young lady had a half-treated tooth which broke off when we are so close to Chinese New Year and all the labs are closed. We had to put something presentable to last her till the labs are operating again.

This is what her tooth looks like. Root canal treatment was started but not completed. The patient left the tooth as it was until it fractured.

We completed the root canal for her, placed a couple of metal pins into the root filling and built a composite crown. Notice the greyish colouration from the metal pins.

We saw the patient again when the root filling has settled in. A fibre post was cemented inside the canal. The core of the crown was built up.

A temporary crown was made. The greyish colouration is no longer obvious as we have replaced metal pins with a fibre post.

An accurate rubber impression was sent to the lab. We shall wait for the final emax crown to be completed. Stay tuned.

Single Implant For An Actress

2010-01-29T12:57:00.006+08:00

This young actress showed up at our clinic with a hopeless premolar on her right side.

As her job requires her to look good in front of the camera all the time, she cannot afford to go without a tooth.

We extracted her tooth and inserted a tiny one-tooth Flexite immediate denture.

With pink coloured nylon claps and no coverage of her palate, she was able to look good before the camera and not have a denture plate interfere with her speech immediately after her extraction.

2 months after extraction, she came in for implant surgery. The healing was not very good and the bone quality not as good as we had wanted it to be, but we managed to insert a 4.5mmx8.5mm Osstem GSII implant into the space.

The extraction space after 2 months.
Healing is not perfect, making the surgery a challenging one.

The implant is in place.
The blue fixture mount was removed and the wound was stitched up.
She reported only mild discomfort after surgery and went straight back to work.
The restoration phase of the treatment will take place in 3 months.
We will post the updates then.

2 months post-op! Our beautiful actress showed up.
We relieved her of her Flexite denture, did a surgical exposure of her implant and attached an abutment to it.

Sorry, we were so excited we didn't clean up the area before taking this picture.

After that, we placed a temporary crown over the abutment.
We will wait another 2 weeks for the cut gums to heal, at which time we'll take impressions for the permanent crown.

Sorry, we were so excited we didn't clean up the area before taking this picture.

The finished product.

The patient had some reaction to the temporary crown material.
The inflammation is expected to clear in a couple of days.

A very daring super close up.
The gums have been pushed aside by the temporary crown.
They will soon settle in nicely with the new crown.
The patient has her tooth back.

Bonding In The House

2010-01-27T17:53:00.005+08:00

This young lady was complaining about a discoloured tooth on her upper left side. We recommended bonding which not only masked the discolouration but changed the apparent positions of her instanding lateral incisors.

We have rounded off the sharp tips of her canines and roughened the surfaces of her 2 teeth to be bonded.

Her 2 lateral incisors are "in".

Bonding completed in less than 30mins. Front view.

Malocclusion

2010-01-21T11:24:00.004+08:00

Malocclusion may be seen as crooked, crowded, or protruding teeth. It may affect a person's appearance, speech, and/or ability to eat.

How to identify Malocclusion

Even though most people do not have perfect alignment of their teeth, for some, the misalignment causes other more noticeable problems. A dentist should be consulted if any of the following symptoms occur together with poor alignment of teeth, in order to effect a proper diagnosis and treatment of Malocclusion.

pain arising from pressure to the jaw
problems in speech and ability to eat
breathing through the mouth
difficulty in keeping the lips closed

Implant Restoration

2010-01-19T10:26:00.003+08:00

The Dental Implant

The procedure is technically known as an endosseous implant.

The implant behaves like an artificial root on top of which a new artificial porcelain tooth can later be screwed in or cemented.

The implant is serted surgically in the existing jawbone and can remain in place for years.
The procedure to place the implant is a minor, two-step surgical process.

While some people express concern at undergoing minor surgery, the procedure is actually less invasive than having a tooth removed.

There is another significant, therapeutic benefit to implants: They prevent further bone loss and help maintain ridge form.

Things To Remember

2010-01-18T11:56:00.004+08:00

Reminder!!!

Painful experiences in the dentist's chair childhood can contribute to dental phobia later in life.
There are different degrees of dental phobia. Most people are dental phobic to some degree.
Fear of the dentist keeps many people from scheduling appointments on a regular basis. Oftentimes, their oral health deteriorates as a result.
Dental phobia is often the product sessions that passed without incident and remember only those visits when the drill really did hurt us.
Only by acknowledging that you have dental phobia can you start to eliminate it.
Many dentists these days are learning ways to combat patients' phobias, and there a number who practice hypnosis, biofeedback, and other relaxation therapies.

The Smile In Your Future

2010-01-18T11:31:00.003+08:00

There are people who are smile-challenged for another reason: They are ashamed of their teeth and gums.

They believe their smile is unattractive.

Perhaps their teeth are crooked, or stained from years of drinking beverages like coffee, tea, and cola, or from smoking tabacco.

Perhaps some teeth are chipped or missing.

Whatever the reason, by keeping their smile imprisoned behind their lips they deprive themselves of the most vital communication tool we have apart from speech itself.

If you're one of those people, the good news is that these problems can be corrected.

Learn more about how you can achieve the perfect smile you've always wanted.

Mini Implants

2010-01-07T15:10:00.032+08:00

Here are the recent patient questions on dental implants:
Q = Question ; A = Answer

Q: What are my options for implants?
A: The cheapest and uncomfortable would be denture.

Q: How long do dental implants last?
A: As to the longevity of dental implants, honestly at the present time we cannot answer this question.

Q: How much does mini implant cost?
A: About $2500.

Q: Can i use my medisave to pay for it?
A: No. Unless you go for conventional implant.

Q: What is the dental implants procedure?
A: The first step in the decision for dental implants is to make an appointment with a qualified dentist for an evaluation. Dentist will examine your mouth and teeth and take a thorough medical and dental history. X-ray will be taken on the consultation day which will give the dentist a good idea of your bone density and the shape of your jaw. Dental implants is a process generally performed in the office with local anesthesia or light sedation to help make the patient more comfortable. Using precise, gentle surgical techniques, the implants are placed into the jawbone for 3 to 6 months while osseointegration takes place. This helps ensure a strong, solid foundation for replacement teeth. During this time, temporary bridges or dentures may be used to minimize any cosmetic or chewing inconvenience.

Q: Can i choose the type of anesthesia for dental implant surgery?
A: There's MUST on local anesthesia. But if you're require for general anesthesia, we will provide it for you too.

Q: Am i going to hospitalization?
A: Not necessary.

Q: What is the long-term success rate?
A: The simply answer to the long-term success rate of dental implants are that dental implants can fail, but fortunately very infrequently. Failure rates vary depending on the site in the mouth, whether they are placed into natural or grafted bone and whether the patient smokes. The overall success rates in natural bone is 95%, though this falls to between 85 and 90% in grafted bone. If a patient smokes it has been shown that they are statistically two and a half times more likely to have an implant fail than a non-smoker.

In order to better understand how mini implants work, it will be helpful to read about the history and current status of standard dental implants.

http://www.osseonews.com/standard-implants-vs-mini-implants-for-lower-overdenture/

Food Stuck In Wisdom Teeth Extraction Holes

2010-01-06T14:51:00.029+08:00

How do you do if the food stucks in the dry socket after the extraction?

Antiseptic mouthwash
The syringe

What To Expect After Surgery

2010-01-04T18:10:00.008+08:00

Take antibiotics and painkillers as prescribed by your dentist or oral surgeon.

The following tips will help speed your recovery.

Bite gently on the gauze pad periodically, and change pads as they become soaked with blood. Call your dentist or oral surgeon if you still have bleeding 24 hours after your surgery.
While your mouth is numb, be careful not to bite the inside of your cheek or lip, or your tongue.
Do not lie flat. This may prolong bleeding. Prop up your head with pillows.
Try using an ice pack on the outside of your cheek for the first 24 hours. You can use moist heat-such as a washcloth soaked in warm water and wrung out-for the following 2 or 3 days.
Relax after surgery. Physical activity may increase bleeding.
Eat soft foods, such as gelatin, pudding, or a thin soup. Gradually add solid foods to your diet as healing progresses.
Do not use a straw for the first few days. Sucking on a straw can loosen the blood clot and delay healing.
After the first day, gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Do not smoke for at least 24 hours after your surgery. The sucking motion can loosen the clot and delay healing. In addition, smoking decreases the blood supply and can bring germs and contaminants to the surgery area.
Avoid rubbing the area with your tongue or touching it with your fingers.

White Spot On Teeth

2010-01-04T10:21:00.006+08:00

A number of factors can lead to the development of white spots on teeth.

Sometimes these spots are caused by nutrition, genetics, or an excessive intake of fluoride, while other times they become evident after braces have been removed. Some children also develop white spots on their teeth as they are developing.

Usually white spots that appear on the teeth are actually areas of decalcified enamel and sometimes this problem can actually lead to the deterioration of teeth. Some dentists will tell you that the first evidence of tooth decay is a white spot lesion and by this description they mean that the tooth’s enamel has taken on an opaque color in the area where the cavity is beginning to form.

White spots on the teeth can appear after changes have occurred in the mineral content of a person’s teeth. White spots can also appear in connection with a condition called fluorosis, which is the result of having an excessive intake of fluoride. People who live in areas where drinking water contains a high fluoride level often encounter this problem.

White spot lesions are also commonly attributed to having braces. People with orthodontic braces often have trouble properly brushing their teeth and the result is a build-up of plaque. The acids in plaque can severely harm tooth enamel and eventually cause cavities. The first evidence of this type of tooth decay is the white decalcified enamel spot or lesion that becomes apparent when braces are removed.

Treatment options for white spots on teeth can include fluoride treatment, bonding and porcelain laminate placement depending on the severity of the problem.

Most people do not realize that sometimes having bright, white teeth isn’t necessarily a good thing. So, if you haven’t been brushing and flossing but you’ve noticed your teeth are getting whiter keep in mind you might be well on the way to decay.

Above information are from this link.

What's Sugar Got To Do With It?

2009-12-30T10:16:00.004+08:00

As you're probably well aware, sugary foods are more likely to cause or speed up tooth decay than vegetables. If you can cut down on your sugar intake, you'll be doing yourself a favor - and not only in terms of dental health.

Unfortunately, eliminating processed sugar from your diet is easier said than done. Sugar consumption generally produces a sudden rush of energy and high spirits, a feeling often called "sugar high". The feeling is addictive, and consequently, many of us have intense sugar cravings at one time or other. Many people subconsciouly turn to sweets when they are feeling sad or unmotivated, knowing that after eating something sweet they'll feel better.

Now is a good time to evalute the role of excess sugar consumption in your life. If you're diabetic and already follow a sugar-free diet, you can skip this section. If not, you might want to consider adapting such a diet, even if you don't suffer from a medical condition. People who reduce their sugar intake report better overall mental and physical health.

Immediate & Conservative

2009-12-29T15:39:00.005+08:00

Immediate implant placement after extractions has numerous advantages.

1. Implant placed immediately after extraction, so no extra surgery for the patient.
2. Bone and soft tissue preservation.
3. Option to do conservative flapless surgery.
4. Faster healing.

Biggest disadvantage:
Outcome highly dependent on skill of the surgeon. It is very difficult to drill into an extraction socket and place the implant in an ideal position.

This technique is also not suitable for teeth which show signs of chronic infection (cysts etc).

The middle aged female patient had a fractured post crown, upper left central incisor. A Flexite immediate denture was prepared for her on the day of the extraction.

Flexite denture on the cast.

Another view of the Flexite denture.

The crown was separated from the root.

We then extracted the root. It was difficult as we had to make sure that no bone was lost or damaged during the extraction.

The socket had excellent bone walls on all sides.
No chronic infection.
Conditions for immediate implant placement were fulfilled.

Dr Chan placing an Osstem GSII 4.5x10mm implant.

Good primary stability meant that we could place a healing abutment on top of the implant.

It's a bit closer to the lateral than the central, but the xray shows that the position was acceptable.

The temporary Flexite denture was tried in the mouth.
Note that no scalpels were used for this surgery.
We expect minimal pain, swelling and faster healing.

The implant should be ready for loading in 2-3 months.
Both bone and soft tissue should be well preserved for an aesthetic outcome.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon @ New Age

2009-12-29T13:42:00.010+08:00

A young and attractive childcare teacher cum part-time model turned up at our clinic with an interesting problem.

Her main complaint was tilted right incisor. She could not put on braces as it would affect her modelling assignments.

Apart from a tilted incisor on the right side, she also has a retained baby tooth in the canine position.

The tilted tooth affects her smile very significant.

An xray solves the mystery. The patient's permanent canine decided to lodge itself in the upper jaw bone directly above the right incisor. The "hidden dragon" pushed the root of the incisor backwards (palatally), tilting the crown of the same tooth forward (labially).

For those who are not familiar with xrays, we'ce traced the buried canine out for you.

The "hidden dragon" was surgically removed and the defect was filled with bone graft. The patient was pain free from the second day after surgery. We proceeded to do a root canal on the tilted tooth.

Here's the tooth with fibre post and composite core built up.

Shade matching was a challenge. We didn't want to follow the colour of her other teeth too closely as she may want to do something about the unsightly spots soon. She may also wish to extract her baby tooth and replace it with an implant.

And here is the temporary crown.

Stay tuned to see our emax crown when it's ready.

Periodontal Disease

2009-12-29T10:16:00.004+08:00

Gum disease, or pyorrhea, should properly be referred to as periodontal disease; that is, a disease that affects those tissues surrounding the teeth.

Early signs of periodontal disease are first noticed in the gingival or "gum" tissues. If the disease allowed to progress, it may lead to recession of the gingival tissue, destruction of the underlying supporting bone, loosening of teeth, and eentually tooth loss. Periodontal disease is the number one reason for tooth loss in the adult populvation.

- The beautiful smile of Jessica Alba -
(She is an American television and film actress who born in Pomona, California)

The surface of healthy gingival tissue should appear pink, knife edged, and stippled like an orange peel. Various shades of pink may be characteristics of healthy tissue depending on the patient's ethnic background and skin tones. Stippling, the orange-peel-like appearance, may also vary according to age and sex.

- the healthy gum -

There are five cardinal symptoms of early periodontal disease that show up in the gum tissue: redness, tendency to bleed easily, tenderness, sponginess, and very slight swelling. Any one of these symptoms or all may be present at one time.

- Gum disease -

If any of the above mentioned symptoms occur in your mouth, seek your dentist for the treatment of the periodontal disease. The sooner the diseased state is detected, the sooner it may be arrested.

Happy New Year 2010

2009-12-28T13:12:00.004+08:00

~ Say goodbye to year 2009 and welcome a brand new year 2010 ~

WiTh AlL tHe RoSe’S pErFuMe
& WiTh AlL tHe LiGhTs In ThE wOrLd
& WiTh AlL tHe ChIlDrEn SmIlEs…
We WiSh YoU tHaT yOuR aLl DrEaMs CoMeS tRuE..
*HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010*

Chinese: 新年快乐
Dutch: GELUKKIG NIEUWJAAR!
Georgian: GILOTSAVT AKHAL TSELS!
Greek: Kenourios Chronos
Hindi: Naye Varsha Ki Shubhkamanyen
Hong Kong: (Cantonese) Sun Leen Fai Lok
Italian: Felice anno nuovo
Japan: Akimashite Omedetto Gozaimasu
Korea: Saehae Bock Mani ba deu sei yo!
Malay: Selamat Hari Raya
Maltese: Is-Sena t- Tajba
Nepal: Nawa Barsha ko Shuvakamana
Papua New Guinea: Nupela yia i go long yu
Philippines: Manigong Bagong Taon!
Portuguese: Feliz Ano Novo
Russian: S Novim Godom
Spanish: Feliz Ano ~Nuevo
Tamil: Eniya Puthandu Nalvazhthukkal
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai
Vietnamese: Chuc Mung Tan Nien

If You Have The Gummy Smile...

2009-12-28T09:49:00.005+08:00

What is gummy smile?

A smile is considered a 'gummy smile' if a significant amount of gums can be seens as a person smiles. Below

The gummy smile (1)

The gummy smile (2)

The gummy smile (3)

I personally think that a person's appearance, 70% is depending on the smile. Or you might say that if she/he looks ugly or so so... i would say that people's are rely on make-up or garment dressed. In this world, no one is ugly. Everyone has a good looking.

Correcting gummy smile can be accomplished by one oof two possible simple surgical procedures. The first procedure is called a gingivetomy. Gingivectomies are performed when the amount of gum reduction necessary is minimal such as in mild gummy smiles. During a gingivetomy, a minimal of gum tissue is removed. The procedure is painless, requires no sutures, and the gum tissues usually heal within two weeks.

More advanced gummy smiles require more extensive tissue reduction. This is performed by a procedure known as crown lengthening. During this painless procedure, the gum tissues are contoured around each individual tooth. The tissue is lifted off the bone and placed in a desired new position. The tissues are sutured into place and allowed to heal for 7 - 10 days. After initial healing, the sutures are removed. The newly repositioned gums are allowed to heal for an additional 5 - 7 weeks before any final restorations can be placed. Following a crown lengthening procedure, further treatment with either porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns will be required to achieve a beautiful new smile. These final restorations can be completed in just two visits.

How To Diagnose An Overbite

2009-12-23T14:04:00.009+08:00

Do you have an overbite?
Here's an easy way to diagnose a possible overbite.

Close your mouth normally

Look in a mirror with your lips spread and your teeth exposed. ***If your upper row of teeth covers your lower row by more than half, you have an overbite.

A condition where the front teeth overlap the lower teeth excessively is called an overbite. It is a common orthodontic condition. Fortunately, this condition is relatively easy to correct.

The problem often has its roots in the size of the jaws and poor care of children's teeth. Prolonged use of feeding bottles or pacifiers may also result in the upper teeth being pushed out.

Very often people choose to live with an overbite unless it is especially deep, in which case corrective braces or even surgery may be required. However, with increasing use of clear braces and the Invisalign orthodontic process, more people are electing to get their condition corrected than ever before.

Always see the dentist for more advice and confirmation of the possible overbite.

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-21T10:15:00.003+08:00

We are down to our last box of bleaching kit.
The new shipment will definitely arrive after X'mas and hopefully before the end of the year.
You're still not late to make a date with us to get a bright smile for Valentine's Day.We wishes you Merry Christmas in advance~

9.5% Hydrogen Peroxide Gels

2009-12-18T13:30:00.012+08:00

9.5% Hydrogen Peroxide Gels

Customised bleaching tray

This is the way how to syringe the gel into the appropriate reservoirs:

I hate bad breath

2009-12-08T15:51:00.010+08:00

Case 1: Mr Hui, 56 years old.
[Doctor, recently i feel my tongue is so thick. It feels like oily skateboarding's. I am afraid i will be having bad breath. How to do? ]

Case 2: Mr. Chen, 45-year-old.
[Doctor, my wife said I have bad breath. My friends and colleagues never say I have bad breath. She said they was embarrassed to say that. After that, I tried to tone Kazakhstan smell, pour a little taste really. How shall I do? ]

Case 3: Miss Li, 25 years old.
[Doctor, I have found that recently my tongue seemed to become more more. Please help me check to see. ]

The most important treatment of bad breath is to maintain oral hygiene, apart from regular dental examination, inlay fill cavities, removing dental calculus than usual must develop good oral hygiene practices.

Brush your teeth after meals, and the proper use of dental floss and interdental brushes and other tools to help the teeth to remove the foods that accumulated in the mouth corners.

Gentlly clean the tongue, especially in the lingual root at the rear of the tongue nearly as it is often the nose back in the presence of accumulation, it is also one of the common causes of bad breath. If the expected long-term use mouthwash, a masking or eliminating bad breath, but also undesirable.

Too frequently is to use mouthwash, not only will change the ecological balance of oral bacteria, but also easily lead to dry oral mucosa and teeth staining.

Terms of diet, avoiding exclusive blindly, especially fish. It should also be hi-fiber plant foods, light chewing, and it will not only have the effect of friction increases when chewing, but also the secretion of fluid has been added.

More Emax

2009-11-26T11:04:00.003+08:00

This middle aged lady had a couple of discoloured and root canal treated front teeth. She wanted the aesthetics to be improved.

2 discoloured teeth.
Alignment is also slightly off.

Emax crowns tried in the mouth.

Colour and alignment have been corrected.

Emax crowns cemented.

Time to do scaling and a new denture for her back teeth.

Aesthetic Filling Materials

2009-11-16T15:15:00.002+08:00

This gentleman has "pits" on his upper lateral incisor. He is bothered by them but didn't know that something can be done.
Many people are afraid to fill these cavities for fear that the filling will look worse than the decay.
Composite blends in nicely with the natural tooth.

Out With The Old In With The New

2009-11-03T10:10:00.004+08:00

This middle aged lady has an obvious problem. Her 2 old crowns have come loose and her dentist failed to replace them in their original positions - which is understandable because they have detriorated so much.

We advised her to redo her PFM crowns with emax. After seeing what we have done for her daughter, she agreed.
The 2 old PFM crowns have deteriorated so much, it was impossible to seat them proper after they were dislodged.
Notice the gap between the crowns as well.

Her original crowns were also protruding. She didn't have a choice of a better system back then.

Definitely warrants a redo.

We removed her old PFMs, masked the underlying colour
Impressions were taken.
The stumps were temporarily covered with temporary crown material.
Emax crowns.

A veneer on the lateral incisor would be perfect

Bridging The Gap

2009-10-28T14:07:00.005+08:00

This is not really a cosmetic/aesthetic case.

The patient, a middle-aged office worker, had a missing premolar for many years and finally decided to replace it with her bridge. Her supporting teeth have been previously crowned.

As she had several other teeth to crown and gaps to bridge, she opted for a PFM bridge which does not look as good as emax but suits her requirements.
A missing tooth. Very obvious when the patient smiled. We are surprised she put up with it for so long.
Here's the PFM bridge fitted in her mouth. We tried to match her crown on the other side. Her left central incisor will be corwned later.
A crown for the left central incisor and a new filling for the lateral will make her look much better.
It could have been better with emax or zirconia, but the patient is quite satisfied that her missing tooth is finally replaced.

Promoted by www.revahealth.com

2009-10-20T11:15:00.001+08:00

Contact Hougang Dental @ Orchard for complete details, pricing or for an appointment

Address: Hougang Dental @ Orchard

304 Orchard Road,#05-42 Lucky Plaza,
Singapore 238863
Tel: 62358316
Opening Hours:

Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 07:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am - 02:00 pm
Closed on Sun & Public Holidays.

Specialises in

Dentistry, Dentures, Root Canals, Implants

About Hougang Dental @ Orchard
Many people who are not familiar with us will ask us why we are calledHougang Dental Centre when we are located in the heart of Orchard Road. Well, that's because our clinic has its humble beginnings in the Hougang heartlands. Dr Chan Joon Yee took over a dental practice at Blk 631, Hougang Avenue 8 in January 1991 and has been providing Hougang heartlanders with basic, general dental services ever since. Dr Chan Joon Yee graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 1988. After completing his National Service as dental officer in the navy, he began private practice by working as a locum at various private clinics from Jurong, Eunos to Orchard Road. With a keen interest in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Dr Chan frequently consults TCM specialists on alternative therapies. He also has an interest in wilderness medicine, anti-aging science and exercise physiology. Dr Chan speaks English, Mandarin, Hakka, Cantonese, Hokkien and Malay. With Thailand being his second home, he also speaks Thai. Many of the patients who identify our practice with cosmetic dentistry are already very familiar with our Empress crowns. They look really cool and not only improved social lives, but career opportunities as well. Indeed, our "instant orthodontics" with Empress crowns have helped quite a number of people to look good for their job interviews and wedding photos. We started Hougang Dental Centre way back in 1991 at a housing estate in Singapore called Hougang. We have been providing general dental services until recent years when we started to focus on cosmetic dentistry. We now have a new office located in the heart of Orchard Road in Singapore. We can do a whole range of general or cosmetic dental procedures including implants at our new facility. We are also able to provide sedation for anxious patients who want to sleep through their dental procedure.

Clinic Services
Home visits - We do housecalls for non-ambulant patients at home.

Let's see the overall customer rating

Latest Review:

"Of course I will go back" Valley Yong, from Malaysia, 17 Jun 09

Were you pleased with the treatment?

My wisdom tooth surgery was done by Dr. Chan. It costs me $450. Well, I think this is a reasonable price.

Would you recommend the clinic?

The assistants is very polite and gentle.

Would you return for further treatment?

Of course i will go back to visit him. I have appoitment with Dr. Chan every six months.

Treatments

Extractions

"I will recommend the clinic to my friends"

Mangoes, from Singapore, 17 Jun 09

Were you pleased with the treatment?

Scaling and Air Polishing + Teeth Whitening

Would you recommend the clinic?

Yes, of course, I will recommend to my friends.

Would you return for further treatment?

I will go back to see dr. Chan every six months.

Treatments

Teeth Whitening

Treated By

Treated by Dr Chan Joon in Singapore

Provided by revahealth

Emergency Denture ONLY 1 DAY!?!?!?

2009-10-19T11:46:00.001+08:00

This young businesman lost his denture when he was drunk. He was going overseas for an important meeting the very next day. What to do?

The picture above show that he has a missing tooth.

Closer examindation reveals that the space is not quite sufficient for a central incisor.

Judicious trimming was done on both adjacent teeth. We built a composite bridge for him on the spot.

The composite tooth was held in place by a metal wire at the back. All done in 1 hour. The patient was ready to fly off for his meeting. He'll be returning for his denture and implant surgery.

Wisdom Tooth Surgery Risks ::: Nerve Damage

2009-10-13T17:23:00.004+08:00

Wisdom teeth can be troublesome. The last teeth to erupt in the mouth, they often end up half buried, hitting against the next tooth or even lying down horizontally. A variety of problems will follow when these teeth fail to erupt properly. Some “deviant” wisdom teeth can trap food and cause bad breath. That’s not all. If these food traps are not properly cleaned out, decay and gum infection will follow.

Ouch! That sounds painful already, but left untreated, wisdom teeth can cause even more painful damage. Many people end up losing the next tooth. Some suffer from recurrent gum boils. In most cases, the best and perhaps only treatment is the surgical removal of that “deviant” tooth.

Different kinds of impaction will require slightly different techniques. In practically all cases, the gums will need to be cut. Next, the bone surrounding the tooth may need to be trimmed away. For the simple cases, the tooth can be removed at this juncture. If the tooth is angulated against the tooth in front, s further step is necessary. The tooth needs to be divided into 2 or more parts. The deeper and more angulated it is, the more bone needs to be trimmed and the tooth may also need to be further divided into smaller parts.

Needless to say, some wisdom teeth are more difficult to remove than others. The degree of difficulty and the risk often depends on the depth of the impaction, the angulation relative to the next tooth, the curvature of the roots, the quality of the patient’s bone, any medical condition, oral hygiene and even the attitude of the patient.

Surgical intervention is never a perfect cure. Complications can occur and it may not be because of the dentist’s lack of skill or care. Prolonged bleeding and infection are relatively easy to manage. Much more difficult to manage, would be nerve damage and prolonged numbness.

The xray above shows a high risk, difficult operation which I’ve successfully performed recently. The risk of nerve damage or paresthesia depends very much on the anatomic location of the nerves relative to the wisdom tooth. The closer the nerve to the tooth, the higher the chance of nerve damage during surgery. The dentist will be able to assess the risk of nerve damage to the inferior alveolar nerve from your xray. This nerve runs in your lower jaw bone and hence, its entire course in the bone is almost always visible in a panoramic xray. If your dentist uses digital xrays, you may bring a thumb drive to copy the file and see for yourself where the inferior alveolar nerve lies.

I’ve traced out the course of the nerve in the above patient for you just in case you can’t see or identify it. If the nerve is close by, it would mean that the chances of nerve injury will be high. If the tooth is not giving any problems, leave it alone. If it’s troubling you or if it is necessary to remove it for orthodontic treatment, then you must weigh out the risk versus benefit. To do that, you must be aware of the consequences of nerve damage.

1. Feeling of numbness of the lip and chin even after the anesthesia has worn off.
2. Drooling.
3. Inability to hold food at one corner of the mouth

This has to be one of the trickiest wisdom tooth surgery I’ve done. Nevetheless, I was cautious and made sure that the nerve was not cut. After surgery, the patient above suffered loss of sensation on the left side of her lip and chin. The numbness recovered partially after a few days. Near complete recovery was felt after 2 weeks. The nerve was probably just slightly displaced during the surgery.

Check out this other xray. This surgery took me more than one hour. Technically, it was more difficult than the other surgery you saw earlier. However, the nerve seems somewhat further. Do you know where it is?

It’s been traced out for you in the xray above. After the anesthesia wore off, this patient experienced a loss of sensation on her left lip just like the other patient. However, this patient recovered fully in just 2 days. The nerve was obviously just minimaly disturbed.

Thankfully, I have not encountered a single case of permanent nerve damage in almost 20 years of private practice. Many patient’s who have undergone a particularly difficult or risky surgery would experience prolonged numbess for a day or two. Some recovery after a week or two. The majority would have recovered after a month. The longest a patient ever took to recover from numbness under my care, was 6 months.

Looking at these figures, nerve damage certainly doesn’t seem as frightening as it sounds. Nevertheless, it is important to note that even in the hands of the most skilled and experienced practitioner, something unexpected can happen. If your xray looks anything like those above, you should do a risk assessment with your dentist to determine if you would like to go through with it.

Having said that, the majority of wisdom tooth surgeries (over 98%) heal uneventfully. Note that these two cases are atypically complicated.

Long Span Bridge

2009-10-13T10:15:00.005+08:00

Long span bridges are difficult to manage. The supporting teeth must be prepared in perfect alignment in order for the bridge to fit properly.

The technician's challenge is to fabricate this huge complex of porcelain and metal without distortion.

In this case, the 2 mains issues are the patient's resorbed ridge and budget problems. It should ideally be treated with augmentation surgery and zirconia bridge. She's settling for PFM bridge, short pink porcelain flange and no surgery.

The patient is missing 4 incisors in front and one premolar on the right side. She wore a denture which looked awfully short because it kept sinking into her somewhat deficient front. Bone and soft tissue grafting was suggested, but the patient did not want surgery.

The compromise would be to add some pink porcelain to the front part. It makes the bridge more difficult to clean but it props up the front part a little.

Here's the bridge in the mouth. As mentioned earlier, the pink flange is not ideal. Surgery would have produced better results. Still, the margin between porcelain and gum is visible only when her lip is lifted.

Given our limitations, the bridge fits reasonably well. A zirconia bridge would have been easier to fit and might look a little more natural, but in spite of the compromises, this bridge turned out looking pretty natural with good colour match.

Confidence Smile

2009-10-12T15:24:00.003+08:00

This yoga instructor has been very self conscious about her less than perfect smile. Take a close look and you'll see why.

Her problem is quite obvious. Her left central incisor is somewhat elongated.

There is also quite a big gap between her left incisors.

The obvious solution is to trimmed down the elongated teeth after root canal treatment. The gap is even more obvious now that the teeth have been trimmed shorter. Note also that the two central incisors are not in alignment. We recommended 3 emax crowns for this patient.

Here are her finished emax crowns. Note the vast improvement. However, the patient finds her right lateral incisor a bit short and sunken.

To create some semblance of symmetry, bonding was done to prop up the lateral incisor and also to lenghten it. Here are the results. The lateral incisor looks good for the moment, but bonded teeth may stain or chip over time.

A veneer would be ideal for that bonded tooth.

Tips To Share Before & After For Wisdom Tooth Surgery

2009-09-29T15:06:00.000+08:00

Make sure you make your appointment on a day that gives you a couple of days to recuperate after the surgery.
Make sure you eat soft foods. (example: porridge.) You won't be able to have hard, cold/hot foods for at least 48 hours after surgery.
Leave the gauze on for at least 30 minutes. Do not attempt to change the gauze as it will disrupt the clotting process. Think of it as a band-aid; you wouldn't want to have one stuck to the wound and be pulled off every time it clotted. Once the first gauze pad has been taken off, keep the area clean and leave it be. Do not attempt to spit the blood out as the pressure change in your mouth will affect clotting.
Have someone with you the first day you get them removed; you might want some extra help since you may be drugged.
Ice may be applied to your cheek(s) to help prevent swelling for the first 48 hours. After 48 hours ice may continue to help ease the pain, but will be useless in prevention of swelling. If the operation was just a simple extraction of erupted teeth swelling may be very minor or not present in which case ice is not necessary.
After 36 hours after surgery then you should rinse your mouth with salt water.
Within a couple of weeks the gum tissue should be mostly healed and discomfort should be minimal. If a dry socket has developed, healing will take longer.
Use bags of frozen peas instead of ice cubes to numb your cheeks--they do not leak moisture and are more comfortable.
Do not drive or operate any machinery.
Be careful of using asprin as a pain killer as it has anti-coagulant effects (stops blood clotting - promotes bleeding). Ibuprofen/Nurofen are usually recommended as they also reduce inflammation.
DO NOT SMOKE. In addition to introducing toxins to the wound site, this can also dislodge clots, leading to a dry socket.

Improved Your Smile

2009-09-25T15:58:00.000+08:00

Today i have another new case to share with you.

This very attractive image consultant has been living with a crooked front tooth for ages. It affects her smile and her confidence. Since putting on braces is not an option, she decided to consult us.

She has a crooked tooth that spoiled an otherwise beautiful smile. There is an obvious displacement and overlap of that tooth. From this angle, the left central incisor seems to overlap the other tooth.

The crown back from the lab.

The crown tried in her mouth.

It's so amazing that the crown is indistinguishable from the natural tooth.

Of cause there's an improved image.

Even if nobody notices it, the patient is more confident whether she's conducting a class or posing for the camera.

The Advantage of Zirconia Crown / Bridge

2009-09-25T10:34:00.000+08:00

Have you heard about Zirconia?
If the answer is NO, i am gonna share with you one article that i got it from internet. It is so helpful to those "blur" or wondering about Zirconia.

Here i have 7 advantages of Zirconia:

Superior translucent natural looking aesthetics
No black gum line that can occur with other crowns
Outstanding marginal fit
Less sensitive in the mouth
Superior strength and high fracture resistance
Zirconium framework available in 16 vita shades
Suitable for full arch bridge restorations

*above informations provided by www.ukdentallaboratories.com*

The estimated cost for Zirconia crown is $950.00

The Latest Shipment of Tooth Whitening Gel

2009-09-25T10:22:00.002+08:00

Dear fellow readers, our latest shipment of tooth whitening gel has arrived.

This is an economical and highly effective system we've used for many years.

It's a take home kit. The trays are custom-made and virtually invisible. You can wear them on your way to work or while watching TV at home. One hour, 2 times daily and your teeth will achieve maximum whiteness after 9 applications or 4.5 days.

Over just one appointment and in less than one hour, we can take your impressions and issue you with a customised whitening tray while you wait.

Call us at (65) 62358316 for more info.

PFM Crown change to Full Cramic Crown

2009-09-23T15:00:00.003+08:00

Few days ago, this patient called up and booked appointment with us who interested on full ceramic crown. According to her, she had 2 PFM crowns which done by her previous dentist and she is not happy with it. She claims that the 2 PFM crowns is on her front tooth and it is too big and flat. Later on i am going to show you her 2 PFM crowns.

On the appointment day, she was so excited to meet Dr. Chan.

Here is her 2 PFM crowns. Obviously the crowns its too big and flat.

After Dr. Chan explained to her about the ceramic crown, she decided to get it done by Dr. Chan. Well, to make her new crowns thinner and less buldging, Dr. Chan recommended zirconia crowns.

The picture above is showing that Dr. Chan removed her old crowns. He will be taking the new impression for her and to do a temporary crowns for her.

A week later...

Here's her new ceramic crowns. Isn't it look nicer compare to her PFM crowns?

She was so happy and satisfied with her new crowns.

What are you waiting for?
Call us now to book appointment for the zirconia crown today!

Teeth Grinding In Sleep / Bruxism

2009-09-22T14:43:00.001+08:00

Bruxism is a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth together during the day or grind them at night, which is called sleep bruxism.

Bruxism may be mild and may not even require treatment. However, it can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems. Because you may have sleep bruxism and be unaware of it until complications develop, it's important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.

Do you have bad breath???

2009-09-17T17:42:00.001+08:00

Bad breath can affect one’s self confidence and result in low self esteem.

By maintaining good oral hygiene and having regular dental follow up and treatment, this embarrassing problem can be prevented or avoided.

Causes:::

Food (raw garlic, onions and cabbage) contribute to bad breath.
Dry mouth (xerostomia) caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or by continuous breathing through the mouth
Smoking
Alcohol
Medical disorders such as respiratory tract infections such as lung abcess, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney failure
Dental disorders such as periodontitis, gingivostomatitis and caries

WHO precautions – Swine Flu Protection

2009-09-16T14:24:00.000+08:00

World Health Organization had declared Swine Flu as a pandemic disease in June. And being air-borne, the risk of spread of Swine Flu has increased very much. Here are a few tips and precautions given by WHO to keep yourself and others safe from Swine Flu H1N1 virus.

Cover your nose and mouth with disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Dispose off used tissues properly immediately after use.
Regularly wash hands with soap and water.
If you have flu-like symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.
If you have flu-like symptoms, keep a distance of at least 1 meter from other people.
If you have flu-like symptoms, stay home from work, school or crowded places.
Avoid hugging, kissing and shaking hands when greeting.
Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

These were the instructions given by WHO, but you can be more safer by usage of face masks, and gloves while touching any ill patient or any unhealthy places. Face masks are available in pharmacies generally, but if out of stock, you should visit any surgical instruments store to find it. Don’t worry about fashion when its matter of health. Wear face masks in any public places where there is excess crowd.

If you are ill, may that be flu-like or not, just try to stay isolated and avoid contact with other people. And contact your doctor and any authorized swine flu treatment hospital as soon as possible.

Also, when you visit any hospital to get tested for swine flu, use mouth mask and gloves and don’t touch any surfaces. Ensure that you are being tested with a new syringe.
More tips will be shared soon.

Article from http://www.drchetan.com

Multiple Implant Restorations - Part 3

2009-09-15T11:26:00.002+08:00

There was some decay on the right incisor.

Dr. Chan will do some bonding for him to fix the problem.

2 crowns on this side

4 unit bridge on this side.

Done. He is ready for his wedding photos.

= The end=

Multiple Implant Restorations - Part 2

2009-09-11T11:41:00.004+08:00

3 months later, the implants have integrated.

We did a second stage surgery to expose the buried implants and then placed healing abutments over them.

We've decided to give the patient a temporary bridge and crowns to wean him off his removable partial denture.

Due to the date is near to his wedding, we help him to save costs, we did our own waxup.

These teeth were carved from a block of wax.

We made a template from this waxup.

This will not only guide us on abutment placement but also help shape the temporary bridge.

2 weeks after healing abutments were placed, we fixed the final restorative abutments over the implants.

From the left side view.

Right side.

Again, to save costs for the patient, we placed the abutments directly into his mouth, modified them chairside and took abutment level impressions.

The temporary bridge is in place.

We had to do a bit of gum trimming to increase the accuracy of the impressions.

The case is still with the lab.

I'll upload pics of the patient's final restoration once ready.

= To be continue =

Asian Beauty

2009-09-09T15:33:00.000+08:00

Some of our fans have complained that we don't show the "pretty pics" anymore.
All they see now is blood and gore.
Ok, for a change, we'll deliver some pictures featuring Asian beauties.
Enjoy...

Here we go!!!

Photos sponsored by New Age Cosmetic Dentists.

= The end =

Instant Braces / Instant Orthodontics

2009-09-07T16:47:00.000+08:00

What do brides to be and air stewardesses have in common? They have no time to put on braces before that last interview with the airline management or the appointment with the photographer.

Since 2003, our clinic has been helping many hopeful air stewardesses pass that last interview and take off on a high flying career with "instant orthdontics". We have also helped many brides and bridegrooms to be to get their smiles ready for the camera.

There is actually no such thing as "instant orthodontics". In fact, we don't do orthodontics at our clinic. The illusion of instant orthodontics is created by a technique which involves elective root canal treatment and the crowning for crooked teeth with full ceramic crowns. In some cases, additional procedures like gum surgery may be required.

Case: Hopeful Air Stewardess

This is a classic case that brought our humble practice in the Hougang heartlands into the recommendation list of an airline's management. The patient is a young and attractive teacher on her way to a new career as an air stewardess (or cabin attendant if you want to be PC).

Below is a plaster model of her teeth before treatment.

From the inside, we can see that her two central incisors are protruding forward.

The incisor on the right side was even rotated.

Her lateral incisors were also sunken relative to the rest of her teeth.

It's our duty to inform her that the ideal treatment for her case is orthodontics.

She would have to extract a couple of teeth, put on braces for 2 to 3 years.

She rejected the option because as an air stewardess, she would not be allowed to put on braces.

She also needed to look good in time for her final interview.

We took impressions of her mouth and studied her case closely.

The twisted right central incisor was marked (x) for elective root canal treatment.

We would have to break off the crown and then rebuild it from scratch.

The two lateral incisors only needed to be "thickened up" with crowns to put their outer surfaces in alignment.

The tilted canine on the right side could be set straight also by covering it with a crown.

Below is what we call a diagnostic wax-up.

It's similar to a mock up of the final result we can get.

It's done by adding wax to recontour the original study model.

Of course, the twisted crown was broken off on the model and reset in a new position.

In this wax-up, I included the canine on the left.

The patient decided to do just 5 Empress^® crowns from her right canine to the left lateral incisor.

We were performed the root canal treatment as planned and then cut the crowns accordingly.

The impressions were sent to the lab and in a week, they were ready for cementation.

The plaster models below was taken from the patient after the crowns were cemented.

Note that we managed to completely realign 5 of her teeth by crowning.

Root canal was only required for one tooth.

It should be noted that "instant orthodontics" is a compromised and less than ideal solution.

Vital teeth which have been crowned in this case may require root canal and quite a bit of follow up treatment in future.

Cost Estimation: The above case would cost about S$4200 today.

Changing His Smile

2009-09-07T13:50:00.000+08:00

This senior executive has been neglecting his teeth for ages. Then, his front tooth broke and he only complained about the discomfort and not the appearance.

We've decided to make a veneer for him.

Very minimal preparation or trimming of the tooth was done.

A rubber impression was taken and sent to the lab for an Empress veneer.

Veneer was cemented. Bulk has been added to that tooth and it could have been better if he had done more veneers. But then, he only complained of discomfort and couldn't even be bothered if we got the colour right.

We decided that he needed a scaling to clean out his lower teeth and did it for him.

Here he is after scaling. For the first time, we saw him looking at his teeth in the mirror for more than a second.

= The end =

Makeover For An Actress

2009-09-07T10:58:00.000+08:00

This young actress chipped her front tooth. Even though there was no nerve exposure, she decided to do root canal treatment followed by an emax crown.

We explained the options to her. Both bonding and veneers will increase the bulk of the tooth and make it look even more protruding.

By doing root canal, cutting back the tooth and then rebuilding it, we can effectively reposition the tooth and make it look straight.

The right central incisor looks short because it is protruding.

It is also chipped at the corner.The right central incisor looks short because it is protruding. it is also chipped at the corner.

The left central incisor was also bondedso that all 3 teeth will look harmonised when the protruding tooth is crowned.

The lateral incisor was a little instanding.

As the patient has budget constraints.

We did a little bonding to bring out the lateral incisor.

Root canal is done on the protruding incisor.

An emax crown has been fitted. Check the alignment.

She'll look even better if the 2 adjacent teeth are laminated with Empress veneers. Bonding has its limitations.

As the finishing for the emax and bonding can be quite different, the patient is advised to have veneers on her other 2 teeth.

= The end =

Multiple Implant Restorations

2009-09-05T12:57:00.000+08:00

This young gentleman decides to turn over a new leaf and start taking care of his teeth after caries wiped out half of his teeth.

Many of his decayed teeth were down to their roots. Bonding saved a few of his teeth, but many had to be extracted.

We could save his right central incisor and canine with some composite filling material.

We're looking at ceramic restorations as a more durable solution.

Here we are, entering 2 months after the unsalvageable stumps were removed.

The patient was heavily sedated and breathing oxygen on his own.

A total of 4 implants were placed.

We decided to do a 2-stage operation.

Since the extractions were recently, the patient had good bone width.

However, he didn't have good bone height.

Forced to place relatively short implants, we decided not to load them so early.

The patient wore a temporary partial denture after this.

= To be continue =

Full Ceramic Crown

2009-09-03T11:34:00.000+08:00

This young and attractive woman got involved in an accident which chipped her front tooth and exposed the nerve. She had a large filling done at another dentist's. She hated it and wanted something more aesthetic.

We did an elective root canal on the tooth, inserted a fibre post and crowned it with emax.

Cost of Crown Lengthening

2009-09-02T18:18:00.002+08:00

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure to remove excess gum tissue and expose more the tooth. This procedure is sometimes performed before crowning.

This attractive young lady had a tooth that is half covered with excess gum tissue.

The tooth looks partially buried.

Crown lengthening is a procedure that removes bone and gum around the tooth to expose more crown height. The tooth looks more natural after surgery. The gum level will take about 2 months to stabilise. Ideally, the patient should have some gum removed from the next tooth (the right central incisor) as well.

The procedure of crown lengthening is $300 nett.

= To be continue =

Walking Is Great

2009-08-31T10:23:00.001+08:00

Kids, middle-agers and active agers get much benefit from walking.

Walking has minimal impact forces on the joints and minimal strain on the heartmaking it a relatively safe cardio activity for almost everyone - kids, middler agers or seniors. It ia also a weight bearing exercise so it helps to reduce bone loss.

Exercise is an essential complement to medications for those who need it. A long time friend and colleague, Prof KJ Steward said,"while gine therapy holds much promise for the future, gum therapy is effective and available today."

Children are meantsto be active so unstructured play should be encouraged. Walking is a little too low-intensity for them, as they should be dashing about. Unfortubately, cultural and social pressures go against this natural tendency to run about (e.g. a good and well behaved child is one who sits still and quietly).

To encourage children to be active and spend less time in front of computer or TV, they can be given a pedometer and encouraged to hit a target of 13000 steps per day through various forms of physical activity, both structured and unstructured.

For middle-aged individuals, this stage is when chronic disease tend to start setting in so they should be physically active to prevent or manage such disease. Work and family pressures tend to make it difficult to set aside time for exercise, and they lose their fitness.

To get back into an active lifestyle, one can start with something easy such as walking, either as an exercise or as part of one's incidental daily activities. As one gets fitter, one can try more intensive activities such as brisk walking and various sports.

What is your skin type?

2009-08-21T11:50:00.001+08:00

Normal skin:
>> Firm, smooth and unblemished
>> Neith dry nor oily
>> No enlarged pores

Suitable products: Powder, cream and gel formulas

Dry Skin:
>> Feel rough and looks dull
>> Sebaceous glands are smaller than normal, and thereby produces less oil
>> Pores are usually not very visible
>> Prone to wrinkles
>> Get red or irritated easily in windy and cold weather

Suitable products: Cream formulas. It keep moisture in, is easier to blend and stays on better than powder.

Oily skin:
>> Large and more active sebaceous glands
>> Large and clogged pores
>> Prone to acne and dermatitis, which can be aggraveted by the sun's rays, poor diet, stress and alcohol

Suitable products: Powder and gel formulas. Powder soaks up excess oil and gel dries up very quickly after application, making skin less oily.

Dragon Fruit Bird's Nest

2009-08-21T11:25:00.002+08:00

Good for: Improving skin elasticity and firmness

INGREDIENTS
>> Dragon fruit - 1 fruit
>> Bird nest (concentrated) - one person's portion

COOKING METHOD
>> Add rock sugar to the bird nest and boil under medium heat til melts.
>> Cut a hole in middle of the dragon fruit and pour in the bird nest mixture.
>> Steam for another minute and ready to save

2009-08-19T10:53:00.000+08:00

Visit us @ luckyplazadental.weebly.com

Discoloured and Decayed Teeth

2009-08-03T13:26:00.000+08:00

Problem: This gentlemen hesitated to smile fully because of his discoloured, decayed, and chipped front teeth.

Solution:
Composite resin bonding and cosmetic contouring
The teeth were professionally cleaned before they were restored with composite resin. Finally. reshaping (cosmetic contouring) of the teeth to obtain a straighter look helped to produce a far more handsome smile.

Discoloured and Missing Teeth

2009-08-03T13:21:00.000+08:00

Problem:
This young lady could easily afford to her her front teeth crowned, but was told by her dentists that it would be impossible to properly crown the upper teeth due to the missing lateral incisor. She was also extremely fearful if dentistry due to previous unpleasant dental experiences when she was a child. Thus she tended to keep her old discoloured and worn fillings until they actually fell out rather than replace then when they became unsightly. When defective fillings aren't replaced, they become sources for bacterial plaque accumulation and encourage further decay and disease. Note how the gum tissue has reduced from the crown of the patient's upper left lateral incisor due to gum disease.

Salution:
Full crowns
Following gum (peridontal) surgery, all the teeth were crowned with porcelain bonded to metal. This produced a cleaner more attractive smile that renewed the patient's confidence and further motivated her to use better home care and have more frequent professional cleanings. Many times patient who have extensive treatment will become good preventive-oriented patients. With an appreciation of their new smile, many patients even stop harmful habits, such as smoking, which stains teeth.

Closed Bite

2009-07-31T15:25:00.000+08:00

---Your face may look "collapsed"---

One of the bite problems most detrimental to facial esthetic is the deep overbite, which refers to the almost complete overlapping of the upper of the upper front teeth over the lower teeth. Frequently the edges of the lower front teeth bite into the gum tissue of your palate. The treatment of choice for deep overbite is orthodontics.

A closed bite results when there is either complete or partial loss of back teeth, leading to loss of facial height. The result of this bite condition is a partial collapse of the lower facial tissue. The typical facial appearance then is one of aging, as if the person had no teeth. This can exist even in young people.

Correction of a closed bite can mean opening the bite is not too severe, a compromise result can sometimes be obtained by building up the back teeth with crowns or gold onlays. This would then permit either bonding or crowning of the front teeth, should they require it. However, repositioning or orthodontics, followed by crown and bridge, or bonding is the best bet. orthodontic surgery may be required if the lower jaw is too small and needs to be repositioned.

Bad Bites

2009-07-31T14:51:00.002+08:00

Generally there are two causes for a bad bite: INHERITANCE or HABIT.

Most are inheritance, but some are caused by destructive personal habits. Inherited bad bites are a result of teeth that do not fit the jaws they rest in or are not proper relationship to the rest of the face. Protruding upper and lower teeth may be inherited and may not always cause bite problems. Bad bites resulting from bad habits are more easily avoidable.

It is an established fact that persistent habits such as finger or thumb sucking can cause the permanent teeth to protrude. In most instances, these habits seem to stop voluntarily about the age of six. It is important however to consult with your child's dentist to determine when, if any, attempts should made to break the habit. A bad bite results particulary when pressure in the bottom teeth causes them to move inwards. Lip bitting is an adult substitute for thumb sucking and can result in front teeth moving inward. Nail biting also causes undue pressure, which causes teeth to move inward.

Another major cause of a bad bite is loss of teeth without proper replacement with either fixed or removable bridges.

FAILURE TO REPLACE MISSING TEETH CAN CAUSE YOUR BITE AND YOUR FACE TO "COLLAPSE".

Implant Dentistry

2009-07-30T11:35:00.011+08:00

Ask anyone in the dental industry (from supplier to lab technician) what the hottest thing in dentistry is today and he/she will tell you that it’s dental implants. At a talk I gave at Nanyang Polytechnic in October 2007, the majority of questions from the audience were about dental implants.

Some years ago, when a colleague told me that implants are going to be the next big thing to take the sunset out of our profession, I shrugged off his optimism with typical cynicism. Implants are expensive for both the dentist and the patient. With so many people claiming that they can’t afford crowns and bridges, who is going to spend thousands of dollars on implants?

It took quite a while before I took the plunge and invested in an implant system. The response from patients was unexpectedly encouraging. Not being the studying type, I did not spend too much time and money on courses and conferences. Instead, much of the training I had in dental implants came from assisting cases handled by experienced oral surgeons in the operating room. I believe in hands-on training.

Today, implants are the in thing at my new practice. There are people willing to spend some money to have teeth that can often function or sometimes, even look like natural teeth. Looking back, I was certainly wrong about the demand for dental implants. I just needed the right environment and the right patients.

The Ugly Side

Implant dentistry has a lot to do with dollars and cents. Make no mistake about it, implants are expensive, not only for patients, but also for dentists. It may sound ridiculous, but it is quite possible for a dentist to lose money doing implants even after charging thousands of dollars for it.

When dental implants first emerged on the scene in Singapore, they were mostly done by specialist oral surgeons. Prices were prohibitive and results were by no means perfect, but that was the state of the art back then. Patients had lost almost all of their teeth and had little choice.

It was not until surgical kits were first distributed to ambitious general practitioners (GPs) that dental implants started becoming popular. Newly designed surgical kits were user friendly and didn’t require a lot of training to use. However, patients who opted for implants were also doing it for fewer and fewer teeth. They now expected the implanted teeth to match their remaining natural teeth.

Prices, however, dropped only slightly. Why? That’s because the distributors of implant systems would push packages worth tens of thousands of dollars onto dentists. It may seem like a good deal at first, but dentists who have taken up a system may have to do their own pushing to recover the cost of the investment.

Anatomical Risk Factors & Costly Remedies

That’s where trouble may begin. Implants are not magical. They can’t just stick to your gums and function like teeth. They need bone which is seldom sufficient in patients who have lost their teeth for some time. This problem is sometimes overcome by grafting and promoting the formation of new bone. It may also involve advanced procedures like ridge splitting and sinus grafting. All these procedures will add cost to implant treatment.

The patient’s remaining teeth may also not be in the ideal positions/alignment to accommodate implants. Spacing may be too large or too small. Orthodontic treatment is often necessary to obtain good results. Again, that will add significantly to the cost.

The Learning Curve

Besides that, the budding implant practitioner would also be confronted with manufacturers who claim that their implants are the best and will work where others fail. There is never a shortage of opinion leaders who favour a certain system. These folks are employed by their respective favourite manufacturers to highlight the pros and hide the cons for their systems. Compulsory continuing education is often provided by dental suppliers and product manufacturers. Their marketing efforts are sometimes subtle, sometimes not so subtle and always aimed at maximising sales. Dentists being humans, often fall prey to aggressive advertising.

Compromises

Dentists who have purchased expensive packages will feel compelled to persuade even the relatively challenging candidates to get their implants done. Or when patients ask for a compromise like 3 implants instead of 4, they may feel obliged to do it even though it may go against their better judgement les the patient ends up with a competing colleague who dares take the risks and gets away with it. When in doubt whether implants will work under compromised situations, they consult the manufacturers and their experts.

“Too close to the sinus? No problem. We have short implants. Of course they work.”

“Bone too thin? No problem. Any other type of implant may fail, but ours will be fine.”

It’s not hard to imagine that as more and more implants flood the market, more and more patients think implants are cool, the number of potential implant cases will multiply and so will the number of patients and practitioners (both budding and experienced) willing to compromise to save costs. With enough botched up cases receiving public attention, the profession is going to suffer some major setback. Worse, patients in general, even those whose cases are not too difficult, may lose confidence in implants.

Expectations

Apart from the disaster of losing implants, another problem is that of long term aesthetics. Your implants replacing your front teeth may look very nice immediately after completion, but a few years later, metal may show and parts may come loose. There are way to prevent and rectify all that, but they all cost money. The cost of doing a standard, straightforward case is already very high to some patients. If we add in the cost of additional surgery and other procedures, patients may either think that the dentist is trying to rip them off, or they may choose to see a dentist who is not aware of the potential problems. Dr. Axel Kirsch who designed Camlog implants, once said that his patients must have no “economic problems”. The same criteria should apply to patients who have less than ideal conditions for the dentist to work on. It’s impossible to cut corners, charge cheap and still end up with ideal, durable results. Patients must be perpared to undergo surgical revisions. They should certainly be prepared for implant restorations not looking their best.

The Smile In Your Future

2009-07-30T11:07:00.001+08:00

There are people who are smile challenged for another reason: They are ashamed of their teeth and gums. They believe their smile is unattractive. Perhaps their teeth are crooked, or stained from years of drinking beverages like coffee, tea, and cola, or from smoking tobacco. Perhaps some teeth are chipped or missing. Whatever the reason, by keeping their smile imprisoned behind their lips they deprive themselves of the most vital communication tool we have apart from speech itself.

If you're one of those people, the good news is that these problems can be corrected.

Big Is Beautiful

2009-07-24T15:00:00.002+08:00

Are your teeth big enough? Very often patients request for teeth that aren't big enough. Here's more proof that you don't look good with tiny teeth.

Never ask for an edge to edge bite when you can have a Class 1 bite.
Always show more teeth on top.
Upper teeth always overlap the lower.

Day International Surgery - Sinus Lift Surgery

2009-07-24T14:44:00.004+08:00

Location: Paragon Level 16, Orchard Road.

Things To Remember

2009-07-20T11:12:00.002+08:00

Cosmetic dentistry has made significant advances in recent years, but good oral hygiene is the first step to a brighter smile. Brushing and flossing one's teeth at least twice-a-day is essential.
Remember that toothbrush bristles wear out and can cause more harm than good when they fray. Discard your old brush and purchase a new one every five to seven weeks for maximum cleaning and less gum abrasion.
Make sure you brush your teeth correctly and for a long enough time. Don't forget to brush your gums and tongue.
In addition to the traditional spool of floss, many other devices are now available to help you get between teeth.
The growing use of flouride in drinking water, toothpastes, and other products has improved America's oral health substantially in recent years, greatly reducing the occurrence of cavities.

Mouthwash

2009-07-20T11:04:00.003+08:00

If your dentist detects substantial decay between regular visits, he or she recommend over-the-counter fluoride rinses or a prescription strength fluoride rinse, toothpaste and/or gel. Gel can be used on your normal toothbrush, or in some several cases, it can be used in conjunction with fluoride trays that are worn for five minutes prior to retiring at night. Your dentist will recommend the method most appropriate for you.

Toothbrush

2009-07-16T12:14:00.002+08:00

Toothbrushes are generally sold according to three levels of bristle stiffness: "hard", "medium", and "soft". Everyone has his or her own preferences, but we recommend choosing the "soft" brush and replacing it every two months or so. Soft bristles do the best job. Hard toothbrush bristles can cause damaging abrasion of healthy gum tissue, expediting gum "recession" via toothbrush abrasion.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

2009-07-15T11:56:00.008+08:00

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ or TMD) is associated with stress and involves pain that originates in the jaw or facial muscle. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the hinge between the skull and the jaw, the joint that opens and closes the mouth, making it possible for you to chew your food, swallow, speak or laugh. "True" TMJ can manifest as the breakdown or deterioration of the cartilage in the disc that comprises the joint, or bony changes in the joint space or lower jawbone. Frequently, the condition mimics arthritis and may in fact involve arthritis. One early symptom can jaw-popping, in which opening the mouth, as in a yawn, produces a clicking or popping sound.

Although we dont often realize it, the temporomandibular jointis one of the most important in the body, required for speaking, gesturing, and chewing. If the joint is injured by incessant tooth grinding, for example, it may respond favorably to anti-inflammatory drugs and arthritis medications, but surgery is recommended in advanced cases.
The disorder can result in complaints about difficulty chweing, talking, maintaining balance, hearing, headaches, and neck or back pain. In search of relief, Americans consult a wide range of practitioners, including chiropractors, nutritionists, pain specialists, and psychologists, as well as dentists, orthodontists, and maxillofacial surgeons (surgeons who specialize in the facial bones).

There is much difference of opinion about treatment options among these practitioners. Patients often consult one practitioner after another in search of relief, without satisfaction. The syndrome is often misdiagnosed and unsuccessfully treated. In some cases, orofacial pain can be treated with a combination of heat application, isometirc exercises, muscle-relaxing medications, and stress reduction.

Oral Cancer

2009-07-15T11:47:00.003+08:00

Dentists are your first line of defense against oral cancer. Oral cancer screenings are performed during routine visits, although patients may not be aware of this. The dentist or hygienist examines three areas where oral cancer most commonly develops: the side of the tongue, the florr of the mouth, and the back of the upper hard or soft palate.

Oral cancer, especially of the malignant variety, occurs most commonly in patients who are regular smokers and heavy drinkers. If you have either one of these habits your likelihood of getting oral cancer increases considerably. If you have both those habits, your rish of getting oral cancer is 10 times greater than if you have either habit alone.

Things To Remember

2009-07-11T12:51:00.006+08:00

Cosmetic dentistry is no longer the time-consuming and expensive process it once was. Many people have made the decision to improve their smiles in recent years. It's one of the festest growing areas in the field.

A procedure called a gingivectomy, or "gum lift", will soften your smile by removing excess gum tissue. Other options are available to reshape teeth and smooth away chippied edges and imperfections.
Many people these days have bonding applied to their teeth opt for tooth coloured filings to replace the silver in their smiles.
"Veneering" is an affordable solution for many types of tooth disfigurement and discolouration.
Tooth whitening has become the most popular medical procedure in the United States. At-home options are available as are in-office treatments.
Braces aren't just for kids anymore. People of all ages are discovering how braces can help them achieve the perfect smile.

Recontouring Your Smile

2009-07-11T09:43:00.004+08:00

(Gingivectomy) Recontouring is one of the most important developments of cosmetic dentistry. Very often cosmetic recontouring involves a gingivectomy, or "gum lift," in which the dentist removes the patient's excess gum tissue. The procedure usually takes not more than half an hour per tooth.
Have you noticed that when some people smile they seems to reveal too much gum, or their teeth appear to be uneven in length? This condition can be hereditary. Other times it is the result of gradual softening of the gums with age - especially after years of failing to brush the gums vigorously.

A gingivectomy is the dental equivalent of liposuction, producing major aesthetic benefits quickly. Your smile will be softer and less gummy - more of your teeth will be visible. Teeth that appeared too small will look larger and more attractive.

(Tooth reshaping) Another kind of recontouring is tooth reshaping. This involes scraping off a wafer-thin slice of enamel from your tooth to remove uneven or chipped edges or other imperfections. This process can shorten teeth that seem too long and round teeth that have become pointed. Since enamel has no nerve connections, you will feel no pain as your dentist sculpts a more attractive smile.
(Laminates) We call this "veneering" the perfect smile. Individuals who feel their teeth are misshape, discoloured, chipped, or somehow unattractive are delighted with this affordable solution to oral disfigurement.

Causes of Tooth Decay

2009-07-10T15:12:00.006+08:00

In early childhood you were probably told to stay away from sugar bacause, it 'causes tooth decay." This is true - the less processed sugar in your diet, the better.

The sugar found in most prepared foods - not just sweets - helps bacteria ferment. fermenting bacteria generates byproducts called enzymes that cause the breakdown of soft tissue, the connective tissue beneath the surface, and hard tissue. When this happens, it initiates a process referred to generally as "periodontal disease."
Sugar combines with acids present in your mouth and helps bacteria form colonies that corrode tooth enamel. The main damage is done by a bacterium known as S.mutans, which converts sugar into sticky strands that cling to tooth surfaces and support colonies of bacteria. Like all living things, bacteria produce waste products. If these waste products are allowed to remain in place, they bulk up and produce an acidic mass that's called plaque. The resulting acid build-up corrodes the surface of your teeth. This corrosion is what dentists call caries, and almost everyone else calls, simply, cavities.

Cosmetic Options (3)

2009-07-10T11:01:00.002+08:00

The truth is, after a few decades our mouths start to show the effects of all that wear and tear. Our smile does not look very appealing. We smile less often, showing fewer teeth and even less self-confidence.

Our attitude of dental self-delusion stands in marked contrast to how many of us deal with other physical shortcomings. We go to the gym and work out to keep our abs looking good, diet to lessen that potbelly, and get fitted for contact lenses to do away with the heavy glasses. We shop for Rogaine in hopes of getting back our full head of hair. What about your teeth? Aside from twice-a-year cleanings, many choose to simply tolerate the awful shape of their mouths.

In the past, this fatalistic attitude towards dental health might have been understandable. Our parents' generation had few alternatives. Unless you were a Hollywood star or some other high net worth individual whose livelihood depended on scheduled flashing of those pearly whites, you tolerated the deplorable condition of your teeth and gums. Except for the very wealthy, dental treatment was limited to repairing the damage done by decay.

Today it's a different story. Cosmetic dentistry is no longer the expensive, time-consuming and burdensome process of yesteryear. Consequently, millions of people have made the decision to upgrade their smiles.

Cosmetic dentistry is one of the fastest growing areas of the field. In a recent survey, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that the number of people who underwant tooth whitening or bleaching procedures more than tripled in the second half of the 1990s. The popularity of other forms of cosmetic dentistry has also skyrocketed,w ith the decrease in cost and discomfort levels, and the increase in public acceptance.

-The end-

Cosmetic Options (2)

2009-06-20T12:45:00.000+08:00

Most successful people value basic grooming and good hygiene. Each morning, and perhaps again in the evening, they wash their face, comb their hair, shave or apply makeup, and check the mirrow. To go out without having completed this series of routine tasks is to risk social embarrassment. We've all seen people who look like they've just gotten out of bed - their hair a rat's nest of tangled locks, shirts flapping, dots of shaving cream behind their ear. We wonder: "Doesn't this poor soul own a mirror?"

Although other people's shortcomings seem glaringly obvious, it's human nature to overlook our own deficiences, and presume others are equally forgiving. Just this once, take a closer look at what others see when you smile at them in greeting. You've washed up, you smell great, you've brushed your hair, clipped or painted your fingernails, and smoothed your jacket. You feel pretty good about yourself. You're ready to take on the world, and the world doesn't stand a chance. You gaze at the mirror and say: Everything is fantastic. But is it?

Let's take a close, candid, and unflinching look at the face you're preparing to show the world. Stand in front of the mirror, look at your mouth, and smile. Now, lean forward a bit, draw back your gums, and grin. Look carefully in the mirror. After grinding several tons of food during your lifetime, the surfaces of your teeth have become uneven, and some may be chipped.

You've also consumed a river of beverages over the years - coffee, wine, tea, and cola have stained your teeth yellow, brown, and black. Are you a smoker, or even a former smoker? Then it's likely all those cigarettes, cigars, or pipes have left behind yellow-brown nicotine risidue. All those times you failed to brush your gums have left them a little puffy and loose around the teeth. Your teeth have shifted slightly over the years and now jut out in jagged discoloured protrusions.

To be continue...

Cosmetic Options

2009-06-20T10:49:00.012+08:00

The term cosmetic dentistry is misleading. The world cosmetic implies a superficial, temporary change - like applying make up. But cosmetic dentistry is neither superficial nor short term, and includes a combination of dental treatments that change the way you look and feel.

On the other hand, the term does convey some important realities. The dictionary defines cosmetic primarily as something "used to beautify", and secondarily as "tending to improve facial or physical attractiveness." Cosmetic dentistry whitens what time has yellowed, eliminates gaps where small spaces once prevailed, and smotthes what has become chipped amd uneven. Although not a fountain of youth, an investment in cosmetic dentistry can have a tremendous effect on your appearance, and consequently, on how others respond to you.

People sometimes implay that cosmetic dentistry is a frivolous indulgence in vanity. But it's undeniable that we're often initially judged on the basis of appearance, and that a large part of our appearance is our smile. First impressions matter and often have lasting effects.

To be continue...

Will X-rays Be Taken In Our Clinic

2009-06-19T12:02:00.005+08:00

Yes, effective from 01st April 2009, new patient are compulsary to take an OPG X-ray doe the first time visit.

Dental digital X-rays to be taken for our dentist to decide on a course of action and formulate a treatment plan. The price of taking an X Ray will vary (from $20), depending on what sort of X Ray needs to be taken.

Small X-rays are specially used to look at the spaces in between teeth, whereas some focus at the root tip of the tooth.

OPG digital X-rays (General wide mouth X Rays) be taken to check the general bone levels and dental health of the patient.

X-Rays are harmful, no two ways about it. But now there is digital X-rays that reduces as much as 90% of radiation to the patient!

X-rays can be very helpful to detect hidden problems.

Don't worry!!!
Dental digital X-rays are very safe!

REMEMBER: When you go to your dentist, be sure to ask if they use digital X-Rays or yester-millennium’s film X-rays.

What Will Happen In A Dental Check-up

2009-06-19T11:41:00.002+08:00

Our dentist will examine all parts of your mouth:

Tooth cracked
tooth decay
Faulty / unsatisfactory fillings
Gum bleed
Shape / colour of the gum
Bone level
Cheeks
Tongue
Palate
Biopsy

No Cash Payment For Wisdom Tooth Surgery

2009-06-16T13:14:00.010+08:00

Pain or jaw stiffness near an impacted tooth.
Pain or irritation from a tooth coming in at an awkward angle and rubbing against your cheek, tongue, or top or bottom of the mouth.
An infected swelling in the flap of gum tissue that has formed on top of an impacted tooth that has partially broken through the gum. When wisdom teeth only partially break through, the skin next to the tooth opens up. Germs can get in around the tooth and gum, causing infection.
Crowding of other teeth.
Tooth decay or gum disease if there's not enough room to properly care for the wisdom tooth and surrounding teeth.

Visit us now to solve the problems!

Do not need to pay for the downpayment.
No cash needed
No credit card needed
Bring along your I.C. will do
ONLY for Singaporeans and PRs

Call us now for an appoitment!

The Advantage and Disadvantage of Bonding

2009-06-13T11:59:00.005+08:00

Advantage

Little or no reduction of tooth structure
No anesthesia required
Reversible procedure
Economical
Teeth can also be lightened

Disadvantage

Can chip or stain more than crowns
Has limited esthetic life
May involve extra teeth to obtain proportionate space closing
Teeth may appear somewhat thicker

The Beauty of Bonding

2009-06-13T11:41:00.002+08:00

Treatment Time:

20 - 30 minutes per tooth

Patient Maintenance:

Avoid hard foods on front teeth.
Bonding to fill in a space is more susceptible to chipping.
Proper use of floss daily.
One problem with most direct bonded restorations is that they can stain or chip.
Expect to have some repolishing or repair as necessary.

Result of Treatment:

Most spaces can be filled in to look just like your teeth.

Cost:

$100 - $200

Medisave Claims For Dental Treatment

2009-06-12T11:46:00.001+08:00

It has been and will always be our clinic's policy to help our patients claim the maximum amount that MOH and CPF Board allow. We are not in the position to dictate or even advise our patients on what to do with their own money. On the other hand, these organisations have the duty of protecting our patients' Medisave reserves. The maximum claimable amounts stipulated by MOH are not meant to cover 100% of the bill. As private practitioners, we always try to report a procedure that benefits our patients most.

In the event of administrative "errors" or "overclaims", the amount deducted from the patient's account must be returned. The clinic is the sole party taking the financial risk of maximising their patients' Medisave claims and we would appreciate it if our patients can make up the difference in the event of a "refund". Under such circumstances where claims are not approved or only partially approved, it must be noted that it is not the clinic that has overcharged the patient but rather the authorities protecting the patient's Medisave reserves.

The following procedures are Medisave claimable:

1. Wisdom Tooth Surgery (Mimimum $400, maximum $800)

2. Surgical excision of 1 root/buried tooth (Min $200 Max $600)

2. Surgical excision of 2-3 roots/buried teeth (Min $400 Max $1200)

2. Surgical excision of 4 or more roots/buried teeth (Min $800 Max $1400)

3. Surgical excision of soft tissue tumour ($200)

4. Drainage of Pus ($150-$200)

5. Root Canal Surgery (surgical removal of root tip after failure of root canal treatment) ($800)

6. Implant Surgery excluding crown $900 to $1500 claimable

7. Biopsy ($200)

Esthetic Checklist For Your New Crown

2009-06-12T10:22:00.002+08:00

Colour

Will the colour blend in with the rest of the teeth or do you want the crowns to stand out by being lighter?

Length of the teeth

Are they too long or too short? Ideally, the biting edges of the upper teeth should just touch the bottom lip when you say "forty-five".

Gums

Make sure the gum tissue looks healthy. It should outline your teeth in a half-moon shape.

Midline

An imaginary vertical line drawn between the two front upper teeth should be in line with the middle of the face. If not perfectly in line, it should be parallel to the facial midline, at least.

Shape

Shape is one of the most important aspects of a crown since it must duplicate the form of the natural tooth.

Texture

If you want a natural looking, it is important to match the surface characteristics of adjacent teeth.

Adjacent teeth

Look at the teeth on either side to see if they can be improved with cosmetic contouring or filling replacement before the new crowns or bonding is placed.

Arrangement of teeth

Does the tooth placement look natural? Sometimes a little addition of porcelaine or slight reshaping can make a tooth look a bit irregular aand more natural.

Tooth Whitening Kit

2009-06-08T14:17:00.007+08:00

Get a whitening gel and trays at $290 only!

Hurry up!
Call us now @ 62358316 for an appointment
While stock last***

Terms & Conditions:

Strictly by appointment only
Valid until 30th June 2009

Dr. Boon Seng Poh (in Singapore)

2009-06-06T10:48:00.002+08:00

When a clinic assistant had chicken pox, her boss - the clinic doctor - insisted on checking her condition personally.

General practitioner Boon Seng Poh, 40, told his 29-year-old assistant to show up at his Ubi Crescent clinic on Oct 18, 2006, even though she had already seen another doctor two days earlier.

Taking the stand on the opening day of Boon's trial yesterday, the assistant said he tugged at her tank top and pulled her bra down during the examination. She claimed that he also complimented her on having 'nice breasts'.

Boon faces two charges of outraging the modesty of his assistant. The married man and father of two young children is alleged to have touched the breast of his assistant at his clinic that day. About two weeks later, he allegedly molested her again by hugging her from behind, with his hand touching an area near her breast.

In court, his clinic assistant revealed details of the harassment she alleged her former boss subjected her to several times towards the end of the 21/2 months that she worked for him.
She told the court that although she felt disgusted after hearing Boon's remark about her breasts, she kept the incident to herself. But when she returned to work about two weeks later, Boon called her into his consultation room for more checks. This time, she said, he unhooked her bra and told her he wanted to check her for breast cancer.

'I was shocked and asked him why. I thought he really wanted to check for breast cancer, so I let him,' she said. In response to questioning, she told Deputy Public Prosecutor Chan Huimin that she was puzzled by how a check for chicken pox could suddenly turn into an examination for breast cancer.

But that was not the end. Entering his consultation room at the end of the day to pass him some documents, she found the lights turned off and her boss lying on the consultation couch.
She alleged that he got up and hugged her from behind. He also told her that he liked her. Struggling free, she brushed off his offer to drive her home.

The next day, when she went into the room to give him some case files, he allegedly asked her to unzip her dress. 'He asked me to zip down my dress and I said 'no'. Then he said, 'Good things must share',' she recalled. She ignored him and walked out.

At home that night, she said, she could not stop thinking of what had happened. After speaking to her sister about it, she decided to make a police report the following day.

In cross-examination, Senior Counsel Sant Singh put it to her that she had been eprimanded by the doctor on one occasion for not helping to carry some milk cartons and standing around smoking instead. He also suggested to her that she constantly did not follow Boon's instructions and did things her own way. She disagreed.

Who is Dr. Chan Joon Yee?

2009-06-04T13:51:00.003+08:00

Dr Chan Joon Yee graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 1988. After completing his National Service as dental officer in the navy, he began private practice by working as a locum at various private clinics from Jurong, Eunos to Orchard Road.

In 1990, Dr Chan started operating his own clinic at Tampines with a partner. A year later, Dr Chan left the partnership at Tampines, took over Hougang Dental Centre (Blk 631 Hougang Ave 8) and has been practising solo there from 1991 to 2007. The new practice in Orchard was set up in 2006 to create an environment more conducive for the practice of implant dentistry and cosmetic, anti-aging dentistry.

A general practitioner familiar with the needs of both heartlanders and jet-setters, Dr Chan is especially interested in cosmetic dental services which include tooth whitening (Excel Day White), full ceramic crowns (emax), bridges (Cercon) and aesthetic implant restorations like Bicon Integrated Abutment Crowns. To keep abreast with the latest developments, Dr Chan is very active in continuing education programmes both locally and overseas. He is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

A fitness and wellness fan, Dr Chan has a keen interest in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). He frequently consults TCM specialists on alternative therapies. He also has an interest in wilderness medicine, anti-aging science and exercise physiology. Dr Chan speaks English, Mandarin, Hakka, Cantonese, Hokkien and Malay. With Thailand being his second home, he also speaks Thai.

Outside the clinic, Dr Chan keenly pursues his interest in writing and adventure travel. He has trekked and climbed mountains in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan and China. He is also an enthusiastic photographer and a collector of Tibetan/Buddhist artifacts. Dr Chan is married and has two sons.

Continuing Education in Korea

Continuing Education in Japan

Our Clinic's Open house

Cost of The Implants

2009-06-04T13:38:00.002+08:00

Dental implants can be a costly procedure. An entire team of professionals are needed to deliver a long-lasting smile.

While a basic dental implant is typically $2500 to $3000, depending on the location and complexity. Your circumstances additional costs for things such as in the case of a posterior mandible, bone regeneration, sinus elevation, and wide diameter or narrow diameter implants can quickly escalate the costs involved to more than $10000 for the complete procedure for the upper or lower jaw.

We are on Straits Times

2009-06-01T14:49:00.008+08:00

Date: 01st June 2009 (Monday)
*** Mistake: New Age Cosmetic Dentists (NOT Dentist)
Dr. Chan Joon Yee (NOT Chang)

I wonder who did the mistake...

Tooth Loss

2009-05-30T12:58:00.004+08:00

Teeth are lost because of:

Tooth decay
Tooth injuiry
Root Canal failure
Periodontitis (gum disease)
Trauma to the mouth
Excessive wear and tear
Congenital defects

Who is a suitable candidate for dental implants?

2009-05-30T12:03:00.008+08:00

Not all patients are good candidate for dental implants. You must consult with your dentist and see if you are suitable for this treatment procedure or not. You will surely not want to undergo a procedure that is not suitable and suffer from complications.

Ideally, a person who has healthy gums and enough bones on the jaw is suitable to undergo this procedure of dental implant. The dental implant or the artificial teeth is placed at the jawbone and this is why a person must have strong jawbones to be able to undergo this procedure of treatment.

Mostly dental implant is used for replacing a missing tooth.

Teeth loss can happen due to many reasons, but this does not mean that this condition cannot be corrected. It may be that a person is experiencing missing teeth because his teeth had to be extracted due to excess decay. Teeth loss can also occur due to accident and old age besides following unhealthy dental habits.

Good candidates:

good health
healthy gums
enough bone to anchor the dental implant in the jaw
commitment to daily brush and floss the implanted teeth and surrounding gums
commitment to make regular visits to the dentist

Problematic candidates

young patients whose jawbones have not fully developed
pregnant women
heavy smokers
alcohol or substance abusers
patients receiving high-dose irradiation of their head or neck
people with chronic diseases or systemic problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, connective-tissue diseases, hemophilia and significant immune deficiencies.
patients taking steroids or drugs that suppress the immune system
people who severely grind or clench their teeth

*** Smoking retards healing and reduces the chance of implant success.

Dental implant is a device that is specially designed to be placed at the jawbone to aid and provide a support for the growth of teeth, bridge or crown.

GP Doctor molested his assistant

2009-05-29T16:20:00.003+08:00

A doctor was charged in a district court on May 28, 2009 (Wednesday) with molesting a woman.

General Practitioner Boon Seng Poh, 40, alleged to have touched the breast of his 28 years old assistant at his clinic on Oct 18, 2006.

Dr. Boon, who is married, graduated from the National University of Singapore in 1994.

The Ways To Preventing Cavities

2009-05-26T15:29:00.002+08:00

Brush your teeth - brush your teeth properly at least twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride.
Floss daily - the best way to remove food debris from in between the teeth.
Eat healthy - eating nutritional snacks and limiting the amount of sugary drinks will help to prevent plaque from forming on the teeth.
Visit your dentist - many cavities can only be detected by a dentist or a dental x-ray. Visiting your dentist for regular check ups and cleanings are a key factor in preventing cavities and staying on top of good oral hygiene.
Use mouthrinse - rinsing with one of these mouth rinses after brushing or eating can aid in cavity prevention.
Chew gum (Sugarless)

What is a Cavity?

2009-05-26T15:25:00.003+08:00

A cavity is a hole in the tooth that is caused by decay. Decay occurs when plague, the sticky substance that forms on teeth, combines with the sugars and / or starches of the food we eat. This combination produces acids that attack tooth enamel.

The best way to prevent tooth decay is brushing twice a day, flossing daily and going to your regular dental check ups. Eating healthy foods and avoiding snacks and drinks that are high in sugar are also ways to prevent decay.

Gum Disease

2009-05-26T15:14:00.003+08:00

Gum disease is a bacterial infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone that support the teeth.

The Reasons To Have A Dental Cleaning

2009-05-26T14:54:00.002+08:00

To prevent oral cancer
To prevent gum disease
To help maintain good physical health
To keep your teeth
To detect dental problems early
To maintain good oral health
To create a treatment plan
To have a bright and white smile
To prevent bad breath

Immediate Loading Implants - Overdentures

2009-05-26T11:25:00.003+08:00

Are you having problems with loose, unretentive full dentures? You're not alone. We see many patients who had this problem until they accepted a simple solution we can offer "IMPLANT-SUPPORTED OVERDENTURES".

Q: How does it work?

A: Just like a button going over a hole, the the overdenture system we employ consists of an O-ring within a metal housing which connects to a stud abutment attached to the implant.

What Type of Floss Should I Use?

2009-05-25T13:54:00.002+08:00

There are two types of floss from which to choose:

Nylon (or multifilament) floss
PTFE (monofilament) floss

Nylon floss is available waxed and unwaxed, and in a variety of flavors. Because this type of floss is composed of many strands of nylon, it may sometimes tear or shred, especially between teeth with tight contact points.

While more expensive, single filament (PTFE) floss slides easily between teeth, even those with tight spaces between teeth, and is virtually shred-resistant.

When used properly, both types of floss are excellent at removing plaque and debris.