Author: Dr. Varun Acharya

Welcome to the mad, mad world of memorabilia. We all know die-hard fans collect anything that they can lay their hands on- ties and tees, used perfume, peeling photographs, you name it, they want it. Here’s the ultimate. Elvis Presley of the “Wooden Heart” now has his tooth in a box waiting to be sold, along with a lock of his hair- on e-Bay for 100,000US$!

It got me thinking-what was a tooth worth, anyway? The value of teeth and the role they play in our health and wellbeing are known unfortunately, only after they are lost.

Teeth can be lost due to severe physical trauma like in an accident. More commonly, loss occurs from tooth decay that cannot be restored, fracture and loss of supporting bone or from untreatable infection.

It is unwise to leave an empty space. The entire setup is balanced very dynamically and one missing component can have damaging effects such as:

• Shifting, tipping of the remaining teeth into empty space
• Gaps open up to attract food particle that causes decay and gum disease
• Bite collapse- the jaw closes farther than it should because of lack of support
• An increased chance of Root Canals or increased bone loss due to more force on the remaining teeth
• The longer missing teeth are replaced, the more complex the treatment may become.

Modern dentistry offers the following Tooth replacement options:
Full Dentures:
Dentures are made of either acrylic or metal. They are essentially artificial teeth set in to a framework, which sits on the gums and takes support from the remaining natural teeth.

Partial Dentures:
Partial dentures are used when many teeth are missing and when teeth are not strong enough to support a bridge. Complete dentures are used when all upper and lower teeth are missing.

The disadvantages of these removable pieces in the mouth include inability to speak freely, chew effectively and look good. They have to be removed after every meal and Yes, you can lose it or break it at a most inconvenient moment.

Bridge:
It is term used when the missing tooth is replaced with an artificial tooth that is cemented to the adjoining natural teeth. Most commonly the adjacent teeth are shaped to receive crowns and these are connected to form the bridge. They are useful when only for a few missing teeth. They are firmly fixed and therefore efficient. However, Bridges need the preparation of the adjacent natural teeth involving long hours in the chair and are difficult to clean. In the long run the adjacent teeth also develop problems.

Implants:
Artificial tooth supports surgically set in the jaw – are used in combination with bridges, dentures and crowns to replace any number of missing teeth. Adults who have healthy gums, adequate bone to support the implant, and a commitment to meticulous oral hygiene are good candidates for the procedure. Implants require one or two outpatient or office surgeries and take from three to nine months to complete. Implants are used to replace a single, multiple or all teeth that may be missing.

When a person has a tooth problem, the easiest thing to do seems to be to pull out the tooth and get rid of the problem. It is indeed a pity that you can pull out your tooth for a few rupees and it can cost you a lot of money and time to replace them. Dentists can give you only a reasonable replacement for a perfect work of Nature. Spending time on preventive dentistry is the single most effective way of preserving your precious teeth for a lifetime. These include regular check-ups and professional advice and prophylaxis. Your tooth may not be Elvis’ tooth but it is far more valuable, especially to you. Take care of this precious asset and it will serve you for a lifetime of good health and quality living.

Take a second look at all those beautiful people up there in fashion magazines and on television. What strikes you are those brilliant smiles-gleaming white teeth. Sparkling white teeth send out a message of good health and good grooming.They also make you look youthful and fun to talk to.

Yellowed discolored teeth have been a cause for concern since centuries. People have always desired whiter teeth. Early attempts were made in this direction in 2000BC by the Egyptians. They used powdered pumice stone and vinegar and brushed on Chewsticks made commonly out of neem and other medicated barks of wood. The first “professional” tooth whiteners were barbers! About a century ago, in 1884, Hydrogen peroxide was first recognized as a safe way to whiten teeth.

Today tooth whitening is a precise professional procedure guided and aided by the dentist. The method used for whitening teeth are by several ways but the chief agent is still Hydrogen peroxide in concentration of 5-50%. The most important part of successful tooth whitening is to establish the cause of the discoloration. Why do teeth get discoloured?

Overtime, there is a natural build up of pigments which are mostly yellow or orange in foods like turmeric and wines. Food colouring products also add to the problem. If the natural surface of the tooth is not very smooth, these stains tend to accumulate very quickly. At other times the inherent nature of the enamel may be of a rough texture or have some abnormality. Injuries to teeth are also very common. When a tooth is injured, the blood clots inside the tooth and discolours the same. The tooth could then appear brown or grey. Lifestyle also plays a role. Smoking, coffee and tea cause teeth to appear darker. If you are taking medication for a chronic health problem over prolonged period of time your teeth could change colour. Ageing wears down the enamel, rendering it thinner and more brown.
Whatever the cause, modern dentistry today offers a variety of procedures to almost everyone who wishes to brighten their smile safely, simply and effectively.

Heres how:
Dental Office Whitening: The dental office procedure, also called “Power Bleaching”, uses a technique that can lighten the teeth in the clinic in an hour. If the stains are darker, 2-3 sessions may be required. A concentration of 30-50% Hydrogen peroxide and the process is speeded up by higher energy light or laser. The process of whitening is a simple oxidation reaction where the stained organic molecules in the teeth lose their colour because their bonds are broken in the process. The use of light in the dental clinic speeds up the process. The latest and perhaps the most promising, because it promises instant and long lasting results has now been focused on the patented “Brite Smile”.

The Brite Smile Professional Teeth Whitening system has been named to “Dentistry Today’s 15th Annual list of Top 100 New Products in dentistry. The system which takes 1 hour to complete found an average of 5-6 shades lighter than the original colour.

BriteSmile pioneered today’s teeth whitening practices by spearheading a breakthrough patented blue-light technology called The BriteSmile Whitening System. Our state-of-the-art BriteSmile Whitening System is quick, effective and gently delivers a naturally brilliant smile. Consider this, in as little as 1 hour, a professional BriteSmile Teeth Whitening experience can yield a brilliant & healthy smile that will last for years. Now that is breakthrough.
After 1,50,000 whitening procedures they have developed the system so suitable for people from 14 years and above. It has been found to be safe and effective and the most popular today.

Home bleaching: This is a very popular though slower method of lightening your teeth. It may take 4-6 weeks and may have to be repeated. An appliance is made in the clinic- this is a thin plastic splint. The splint or tray, as it is called, is filled with bleached gel and worn overnight. There are options to wear it for a couple of hours during the day or overnight. The longer the contact of the teeth with the gel the faster the actions. The gel used is Carbamide peroxide which allows for the slow release of Hydrogen peroxide, the bleaching agent on to your teeth. This works best for people who have stained teeth. The colored substances in your tooth which get most easily bleached or lightened are the yellow, orange or brown stains.

It is important to understand that the cause and nature of your discolored tooth establishes the outcome. Sometimes Power Bleaching in the office has to be combined with Home Bleaching. In between these sessions, maintenance and follow-up may be necessary. The tooth whiteners now available are absolutely safe when monitored by the dentist. Sometimes you may experience a temporary sensitivity to temperature changes and irritation at the gum line. All these wear-off within a week.

Whatever the method you follow, the outcome is a promise of a more confident you. You are worth it!