Regular Cleaning and Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
Gingivitis & Periodontal Disease
Dr. Sayeed strongly believes that healthy gums and healthy surrounding bone is the foundation for a lifetime, healthy smile. That is why she strives to educate her patients about the importance and benefits of proper, consistent oral hygiene techniques.
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums most commonly caused by the buildup of plaque, which accumulates on teeth if not brushed and flossed properly. Malnutrition, certain medications, viruses, genetic factors, trauma, and bacteria are among other causes of gingivitis.
When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to the more destructive form of periodontal disease known as periodontitis. Periodontitis leads to loss of the bone that surrounds the teeth. If it is not detected and treated in a timely fashion, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss. Dr Sayeed does a comprehenisve periodontal examination on all her patients and uses a probe to check for tissue damage in addition to using x-rays to look for any bone loss.
Tooth colored fillings (Composite Restorations)
Composite restorations are resin fillings that are placed in the tooth once decay is removed. This tooth-colored material is sculpted to your tooth and bonded with a strong light until it hardens. The esthetic and durable restoration is indistinguishable from your natural tooth. Dr. Sayeed can even replace old silver fillings with tooth-colored fillings that look and feel like natural teeth. If more of the tooth needs to be fixed, a tooth colored filling may not be possible and a ceramic bonded filling may need to be made. (porcelain inlay or onlay). In addition to restoring teeth that have fractured or decayed, tooth colored fillings may also be used cosmetically to change the size, color and shape of teeth. This quality is particularly useful in closing gaps between teeth; repairing chipped teeth and making teeth appear to be more straight or even.
Inlays and Onlays
If a tooth is compromised or damaged to a point where a tooth-colored filling may not be the best option due to insufficient remaining tooth structure, Dr. Sayeed will often use an inlay or onlay to fully protect the weak tooth. This is a more conservative treatment versus a crown. Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain material. This type of restoration is bonded to the damaged area of the tooth.
Crowns
Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is weak, possibly due to gross decay, previous defective amalgam restorations, or teeth that have sustained previous root canal treatment. If a tooth is damaged to a point where it cannot be restored with a more conservative approach such as a filling, inlay, or onlay, a crown may be the best option. They are most commonly done after a root canal procedure, or when a large filling needs to be replaced as a result of recurrent caries. When large caries is removed from a tooth, and when the pulpal tissue is removed as in root canal therapy, a tooth can become brittle and more prone to fracture. To avoid this issue, Dr. Sayeed may recommend a full coverage porcelain crown to protect the tooth and provide for longevity.
Bridges
A bridge may be recommended if you are missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in an altered bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to possible gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. A bridge spans the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. Your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.