Modern dentistry includes a wide range of functional and aesthetic treatment options tailored to individual needs. Understanding the available options helps patients make informed decisions in consultation with their dental professional.
Implant Treatment
Dental implant treatment involves placing a titanium implant into the jawbone to replace missing teeth, followed by a prosthetic restoration. The implant acts as an artificial tooth root, providing a stable foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture.
Suitability for implant treatment depends on several factors:
- Bone structure: Sufficient jawbone density and volume are required to support the implant. In cases of bone loss, augmentation procedures such as bone grafting or sinus lifting may be necessary before implant placement.
- General health condition: Certain systemic conditions and medications can affect healing and implant integration. A thorough medical history review is essential.
- Oral hygiene: Long-term implant success depends on consistent oral care and regular professional maintenance.
The implant process typically involves two phases: surgical placement of the implant, followed by a healing period of 3–6 months for osseointegration, and then the attachment of the final prosthetic restoration.
Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns are custom-made caps placed over damaged or weakened teeth to restore their shape, size, strength, and appearance. They are commonly used after root canal treatment, to protect cracked teeth, or to restore severely worn teeth.
Bridges are fixed prosthetic restorations used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent natural teeth or implants. Both crowns and bridges can be made from various materials including porcelain, zirconia, and metal-ceramic combinations, each offering different advantages in terms of aesthetics, strength, and durability.
Aesthetic Dental Treatments
Procedures such as veneers and professional teeth whitening aim to improve dental appearance while preserving oral health.
Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to correct discolouration, chips, gaps, or minor misalignment. Modern veneers require minimal tooth preparation and can deliver natural-looking results that last 15–20 years.
Professional teeth whitening uses controlled concentrations of bleaching agents to lighten tooth colour safely and effectively. In-office whitening procedures typically achieve noticeable results in a single session under professional supervision.
Clinical Assessment
A comprehensive clinical and radiological evaluation is required before initiating any treatment. This includes a thorough oral examination, diagnostic imaging (panoramic X-ray and/or 3D CBCT scan), assessment of existing dental work, and evaluation of the patient’s overall health and treatment goals. Only after this complete assessment can an appropriate treatment plan be developed.