Epic Dentistry

Epic Dentistry is one of the most advanced dental treatments today. Epic uses a unique technology that combines focused light and thermal energy for a highly precise, exceptionally gentle dental experience. Epic allows your dentist to perform a wide range of procedures with benefits including:

• Faster healing time and less trauma to teeth and gums
• Less anesthetic for most procedures
• Less post-operative discomfort
• Making dental care a more relaxing experience for you

The Benefits of Epic Dentistry

MORE COMFORTABLE

Epic laser treatments provide patients with greater comfort, less bleeding, faster healing, and better results than conventional treatments.

MORE CONVENIENT

Your Epic Dentist can often get you in and out of the dental chair faster! With Epic Lase Dentistry, more can be completed in a single visit.

MORE PRECISE

Epic Dentistry provides consistency, safety, and precision for better management of soft tissue conditions.

What Can Epic Dentistry Do?

Epic Dentistry may be used to treat your gums or other soft tissue in your mouth. It can also help to:

IMPROVE YOUR SMILE WITH TEETH WHITENING

Get a more confident smile! Epic Laser Whitening is a revolutionary tooth whitening procedure. It’s safe, effective and fast. In just 20 minutes, your teeth will be dramatically whiter.

REMOVE ORAL LESIONS

Canker sores and cold sores can be painful making it difficult to talk and eat. Your Epic Dentist can safely and efficiently treat sores on your lips, tongue, inner cheek and gums — often relieving pain immediately.

RELIEVE PAIN

If you are experiencing pain and discomfort, Epic works as a therapeutic device that helps to temporarily increase your blood circulation as well as to temporarily relax your muscles within 5 to 10 minutes of treatment.

TREAT GUM DISEASE

Epic Laser Dentistry may be recommended as part of your treatment plan during the early stages of gum disease to help control the bacteria in your mouth and prevent the progression of this disease.

PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL ORAL SURGERY

No one wants surgery, but when oral surgery is required, a scalpel and stitches can cause pain and discomfort. Epic Dentistry is a gentler alternative providing patients with less pain and faster healing.

Contact us today to find out if Epic Dentistry is right for you.

Technology

We pride ourselves in keeping up with the latest and bringing the best that technology can offer to our patients. Dental technology is consistently being developed to meet the demands of consumers. It places an emphasis on patient comfort and care. We treat a wide variety of conditions in new and improved ways with the help of the following technologies:

Intra oral scanner:

An intraoral scanner is a handheld device that we use in our DENTAL LIFELINE CLINIC to create 3D digital impressions of our patient’s teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues. The scanner uses light to capture images of the patient’s mouth, which are then used to create a virtual model.

Tooth Jewellery

Teeth jewellery is a brilliant way to add sparkles to your smile and stand out of the crowd. Tooth jewellery is the latest thing in cosmetic dentistry – and it’s popular with people of all ages. Surprise your friends with a sparkling crystal glass design or something in gold with a twinkle of ruby or diamond. These tiny little designs are great fun, and because there’s no drilling involved, they won’t harm your teeth.

COSMETIC PROCEDURES MEDICAL EXPERTISE

Dentists of today are finding that expertise and more people who consult them are no longer really patients. They are individuals who desire perfectly aligned sparkling white teeth, and who may even ask for tooth jewellery. These cosmetic procedures have to be accomplished by professionals with professional products. Vivadent has developed the Skyce® system of tooth jewellery, which enables dentists to satisfy this cosmetic demand according to dental requirements.

STUNNING JEWELLERY HEALTHY TEETH

Patients want a sparkling smile dentist to want teeth to be healthy. We are committed to maintaining the health of teeth at all costs. Vivadent has developed Skyce® in such a way that dentists can carry out the procedure responsibly using tried-and-tested products. The dental jewellery does not need to be pre-treated and is bonded onto the tooth in the same way as an orthodontic bracket.

PROCEDURE SLIGHT ETCHING STRONG BOND

Skyce is easy to apply. First. a retentive pattern is produced on the enamel using 37%. phosphoric acid. Then. Skyce® is bonded to the tooth with the transparent, flowable Heliobond. In the process, Heliobond penetrates into the retention niches on the back of Skyce and into the etch pattern on the tooth. Skyce® must be encircled by a little Heliobond to ensure micromechanical retention.

TWO ORNAMENTS THREE BONDING STEPS

The Skyce Intro Pack contains ten jewels in two different sizes as well as all the components for bonding. The three most important steps in the practice are shown below:

Impacted Teeth Solution

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dentist who specializes in different aspects of surgery both in and around the mouth. They diagnose and treat defects, injuries, and diseases involving the head, mouth, teeth, gums, jaws, and neck.

Here at the Dental Lifeline, we have developed procedures to remove teeth painlessly and an emphasis on saving as much of the supporting bone and gum tissues as possible. This is important because strong structures provide essential support for your implants, bridges, or dentures leading to the best possible functional and cosmetic results. We believe that every tooth is precious and one of the main goals of modern dentistry will always be the prevention of tooth loss because the loss of a single tooth can have a major impact upon your dental health and appearance.

However, it is still sometimes necessary to remove a tooth. Some of the reasons for doing so can be seen below:

• Severe Decay
• Advanced periodontal disease
• Infection or abscess
• Orthodontic correction
• Mal-positioned teeth
• Fractured teeth or roots
• Impacted teeth

Extracting teeth is made less difficult when the general principles of oral surgery are understood and practiced. If your dentist has recommended that a tooth be extracted, the following information will help you get through the first few days after your extraction. Should anything occur that seems out of the normal, do not hesitate to call your dentist.

• Pain management must be addressed. Various pain management techniques must be used including Medical management (pre-surgical and post-surgical medications), regional nerve blocks, and local nerve blocks.
• The top (coronal) 1/3 of the alveolar bone surrounding the tooth has 2/3rds of the holding power.
• Periodontal fibers are not designed to withstand slow, continuous torque.
• Multi-rooted teeth are transformed into single-rooted teeth.
• Gingival preservation is paramount.
• Complete extraction of root confirmed by radiograph.
• Closure of alveolus to maintain blood clots.

TYPE OF IMPACTED WINDOW TEETH

The first step is the taking of dental radiographs to assist in extraction planning. This provides concrete evidence that an extraction is the only procedure possible and makes the action defensible in a court of law. The techniques of extraction include surgical and non-surgical procedures. Following a close study of your radiographs, your dentist will be in a position to advise you on which is the best procedure for you.

Non – Surgical Extraction This method will be suggested when the affected tooth is already loose. Non-surgical extraction is performed by placing gentle traction and rotation on the affected tooth with dental forceps or needle holders. Excess tissue is removed as carefully as possible so as to avoid fracture. Once clean, the alveolus can be filled with osteoinductive materials, impregnated resins, or the newer bone morphogenic materials. After filling, the alveolus is sealed. Following the procedure, we will try and make you as comfortable as possible by providing home care support including antibiotic therapy, pain management, and dietary advice.

Surgical Extraction Surgical extraction is performed on non-mobile teeth with normal or near normal attachment levels. If your dentist has studied your radiographs and concluded that extraction is necessary the next step will be the creation of a surgical flap. Your highly skilled oral surgeon will make a precise incision providing room to remove the alveolar bone. Following this, the surgeon will isolate and gently elevate the roots of your tooth. After sufficient bone removal and elevation, the tooth root should become mobile. Small dental forceps or needle holders are used to grasp the tooth crown and then rotate the tooth on its long axis. Your surgeon will rotate the tooth to the point of resistance for 20 to 30 seconds. The rotation is then reversed and again held for 20 to 30 seconds. By using slow, continuous forces, the fibers are torn and the tooth becomes loose enough for gentle traction to remove it from its socket.

After the roots have been successfully removed, a post-extraction radiograph will confirm that the operation has been successful. The alveolus can then be treated and sealed in the same way as practiced in the non-surgical extraction.

WISDOM TOOTH

The last teeth to develop and erupt into the jaws are called the third molars. Third molars usually erupt in the late teen years, which coincides with the passage into adulthood and is referred to by some as the age of wisdom; hence “wisdom tooth”.

Wisdom teeth used to serve a useful purpose, but are now considered vestigial organs. A vestige is a degenerative or imperfectly formed organ or structure which no longer performs a useful function. Wisdom teeth have become “outdated” for many reasons.

Our ancestors’ diet was made up of far coarser food than our own and a lack of hygiene meant that impurities such as dirt and sand were consumed regularly. This caused teeth to abrade significantly which meant they took up less space in the jaw. Permanent teeth were also frequently lost at an early age, which would create more space in the jaw. Due to the coarseness of the food, it was harder to chew and the jaw itself would develop into a larger bone as it was working much harder. All of these factors would create more space for the wisdom teeth when they came in.

Unfortunately, the wisdom teeth are now usually trying to erupt into a jaw that is too small. The heavily processed diet of today does not produce the tooth abrasion or jaw development that we used to see. Modern dentistry has pretty much eliminated significant loss of permanent teeth at an early age. This leaves us with too many teeth and not enough jaw.

Wisdom teeth serve no useful function and will often cause damage because when a wisdom tooth becomes partially exposed through the gums it cannot be cleaned properly and can collect food debris, bacteria, and plaque around itself. This can result in tooth decay, gum disease, infection, and abscess of not only the wisdom teeth, of not only the wisdom teeth but of the nearby molars and surrounding gum tissue. The molars in front of the wisdom teeth are sometimes lost because of cavities and gum disease caused by the inability to clean the wisdom teeth properly. Cyst formation and other destructive pathology are also seen around impacted wisdom teeth. There may be pain and swelling, or you may have no symptoms at all, even though the other teeth in your mouth may be at risk of damage.

If removal of the wisdom teeth is necessary, the procedure is recommended in the late teenage years, before the roots are completely formed. Surgical procedures, in general, are better tolerated when one is young and healthy, and the gum tissues tend to heal better and more predictably when young. Most people experience minimal disruption of their normal routines, and time off from work or school is usually minimal. At this point, it is worth noting that the removal of wisdom teeth can be of great benefit to your ultimate oral and general health Wisdom teeth can be extremely problematic and more often than not I advise patients to have their wisdom teeth removed. However, not everyone has problems with their wisdom teeth. If you’re genetically lucky, the jaws are long enough to accommodate the wisdom teeth in a proper erupted position. In this position, if they can be kept clean, they may be used.

REMOVAL OF WISDOM TEETH

How and where your wisdom teeth are removed depends on whether your wisdom teeth are erupted or impacted and how deep the roots are. Surgery may take place in your dentist’s or oral surgeon’s office rather than in a surgical center or hospital. Your dentist or oral surgeon will review the recommended procedure with you so that you are comfortable with the procedure from the very beginning. You will also be given information about eating, medication, rest, driving, and other considerations for the periods before and after surgery.

Immediately after surgery, your body sends blood to nourish the tooth socket and the healing process begins. Simple pressure from a piece of gauze should control the bleeding and help a blood clot to form in the socket. After surgery, you will rest while under close observation as you recover from the anesthetic. Once your doctor is satisfied with your recovery you will be able to go home and relax. Within a day or two, soft tissue begins to fill in the socket, aided by the blood clot. In time, the bone surrounding the socket begins to grow, eventually filling in the socket completely.

It is possible for you to heal more quickly and avoid complications by simply following the instructions that your dentist or oral surgeon gives you. However, if you experience excessive bleeding or swelling, persistent and severe pain, fever, or if you experience any reaction to medications, please do not hesitate to call your dentist for further advice. A follow-up examination may also be scheduled to make sure that the socket is healing properly and that your mouth is returning to a normal, healthy state.

Mobile Teeth Solution

RIBBOND

Ribbond prevents fracture failures in dental composites and acrylics. Ribbond prostheses are strong and maintain their strength with continued use. They are tough and durable. Ribbond’s unique combination of ultra-high strength fibers, enhanced bondability and patented cross-link lock-stitch leno weave makes the strength and fracture toughness of Ribbond reinforced prostheses unsurpassed by other fiber reinforcements.

ULTRA-HIGH STRENGTH FIBERS

Ribbod is made from the same ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers used to make bulletproof vests. These fibers far exceed the breaking point of fiberglass and are so tough that specially made scissors are required to cut them. Unlike Kevlar, Ribbond’s fibers absorb less moisture than the dental resins

HIGHLY BONDABLE

Ribbond bonds to any composite system. You choose the composite Magnified 110,000 time, SEM’s demonstrate complete incorporation of the resin to Ribbond’s fibers (note lack of voids). Forces within the resin are easily transferred to the fibers ensuring that the Ribbond is an integral strength member of the prostheses.

PATENTED LENO WEAVE

The key to Ribbond’s success (and what distinguishes Ribbond from the other fiber reinforcements) is its patented leno weave. Designed with a lock-stitch feature that effectively transfers forces throughout the weave without stress transfer back into the resin, Ribbond’s weave also provides excellent manageability characteristics.

Having virtually no memory, Ribbond adapts to the contours of the teeth and dental arch. For example; when making a periodontal splint, Ribbond tucks in interproximally without rebounding. In addition, unlike loosely braided or bundles of unidirectional fibers, Ribbond does not spread or fall apart when manipulated.
Since fiber reinforced resin structures derive their strength primarily from making laminates, high manageability and lack of memory are essential for close and accurate layering of the fibers. Inaccurate fiber placement results in voids or excessive composite on the tensile side of the fibers that will be prone to fracturing.

RIBBOND’S PATENTED CROSS-LINK LOCK-STITCH LENO WEAVE.

• Adaptable and Manageable
• Does not unravel when cut or manipulated
• Reinforces multi-directionally
• Durable & impact absorbent
• Transfers stress efficiently throughout the fiber network

ESTHETIC

Ribbond is translucent, practically colorless and disappears within the composite or acrylic without show-through. Not only does Ribbond offer excellent esthetics, but its translucency also allows the use of light-cured composites.

BIOCOMPATIBLE

Ribbond’s fibers are the standard in biocompatibility. The same material is also used in the construction of artificial hip and knee joints. Unlike fiberglass, if at anytime the Ribbond is cut into with a rotary instrument, the resultant particles and exposed fibers will not be a biocompatibility risk to the patient.

VERSATILE

The unique combination of strength, esthetics, and bondability allows Ribbond to be used for many different applications. Ribbond bonds to both composite and acrylic giving you material with multiple uses.

Gum Diseases

Periodontal disease is more commonly known as gum disease and was referred to as pyorrhea in the old days. It is a progressive inflammatory disease of the gingival and the surrounding tissue (bone) around the teeth. Periodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss after the age of 30 and it is believed that around 80% of the population above the age of 30 may suffer from this disease, with varying degrees of severity. It is usually painless and is mainly caused by plaque although pregnancy, diabetes, epilepsy, and such medications as chemotherapy, medication prescribed for heart problems, birth control pills, and antidepressants can all make you more susceptible to gingivitis which is one of the more common forms of periodontal disease.

TREATMENT WILL DEPEND UPON THE TYPE OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE AND PROGRESSION

• Non-Surgical Treatment
• Surgical Treatment

THERE ARE MANY FORMS AND STAGES OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE.

Gingivitis The first stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis, is the mild inflammation of the gingival caused by plaque build up. Your gingival will be red, swollen, and tender. You may also notice bleeding while you brush and floss. This stage of periodontitis is reversible.

Mild Periodontitis Inflammation will spread to the supporting alveolar bone. Minor bone loss and the formation of periodontal pockets, or food traps, may occur.
Moderate Periodontitis In this stage, there will be an increased gingival recession, moderate to deep pockets, moderate to severe bone loss, and mobility of teeth due to the bone loss.
Severe Periodontitis This is the most serious stage of periodontitis. Deep pockets, increased mobility of teeth, movement of teeth out of position, and visible fistulas (boils) will be present in this stage. Pus may develop; bone loss continues, and your teeth may loosen or fall out.

PREVENTION OF GUM DISEASES

The best way to prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay is to maintain good oral health care. Brushing your teeth every day will remove a thin sticky film of bacteria, called plaque that grows on your teeth. Cleaning between the teeth once a day with floss removes plaque from between the teeth – areas where the toothbrush can’t reach. Brushing and flossing are essential in preventing gum disease. Brush your teeth twice a day, with a soft-bristled brush. Use a formula of toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps protect your teeth from decay. It is also advisable to seek regular dental visits that include a periodontal evaluation.

Oral Hygiene If the disease is still in the first stage (gingivitis) your dentist may prescribe an anti-microbial mouth and advise you to brush and floss on a regular basis.
Dental Prophylaxis Treatment for the prevention of periodontal diseases or other dental diseases by the cleaning of the teeth in the dental office using the procedures of Dental Scaling and Polishing. The treatment may include plaque detection, removal of supra- and subgingival plaque and calculus, application of caries-preventing agents, checking of restorations and prostheses and correcting overhanging margins and proximal contours of restorations, and checking for signs of food impaction.

Scaling is a procedure that meticulously removes contamination toxins, micro-organisms, plaque, tartar, cementum, dentin that is rough and/or permeated by calculus from around, below and under the gum line down to the bottom of the pocket. This is done to remove biofilm, calculus, and toxin down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket in order to obtain a healing response.

Root Planing Root planing involves smoothing the root surfaces of your teeth with thin curettes so gum tissue can more firmly reattach to roots that are clean and smooth to prevent tooth loss and sensitivity problems. The procedure makes it more difficult for plaque to accumulate along the root surfaces. Because this procedure goes deeper than a regular cleaning, your mouth may be numbed. The cleaning may take two visits to complete. Depending on the extent of the disease you may need one or more sections (quadrants) of the mouth to be treated with scaling and root planing. Treatment may require one or more visits.

Periodontal Flap Surgery is recommended in many cases where pocketing depths have reached a level that makes maintenance or cleansing difficult. It is often associated with areas of bone loss and inflammation of the gum tissue around the teeth.

When scaling and root planing have been unsuccessful in eliminating the entire pocket of decay, or when there has been a bone loss that needs to be surgically corrected, then a dentist may perform periodontal flap surgery. In flap surgery, under local anesthesia, small incisions are made in the gum, so that it can be lifted back to expose the tooth and bone. The entire area is carefully cleaned and all tarter and infected granulation tissue is removed and the bone is examined. Because the periodontal disease causes bone loss, often the bone will need to be re-contoured in order for the gum to heal properly.
After scraping away the bacteria-laden plaque and tartar, the dentist removes diseased tissue and smoothes the surface of damaged bones. Then the dentist sews the tissue back into place. Removing or smoothing damaged tissue allows the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone.
Periodontal flap surgery is sometimes necessary to treat the advanced periodontal disease if scaling and root planning proves ineffective. Deep pocketing along with underlying bone defects can prevent the gum tissues from fully healing and staying healthy. The procedure involves the loosening of the gums from around the teeth in order to fully expose and clean the parts of the teeth which were previously covered by the gums.

Soft tissue grafts can be used to cover roots or develop gum tissue where absent due to excessive gingival recession. A thin piece of tissue is grafted from the roof of the mouth or gently moved over from adjacent areas, to provide a stable band of attached gingiva around the tooth. The gingival graft may be placed in such a way as to cover the exposed portion of the root. During this procedure, the periodontist takes gum tissue from your palate or another donor source to cover the exposed root. This can be done for one tooth or several teeth to even your gum line and reduce sensitivity.

A soft tissue graft can reduce further recession and bone loss. In some cases, it can cover exposed roots to protect them from decay. Soft tissue grafts and other root coverage procedures are a predictable way to cover unsightly, sensitive or exposed root surfaces, to prevent future gum recession and restore healthy gum tissue. This will reduce further bone loss and recession, make the toothless sensitive, protect the root from root cavities, and look more natural when you smile. If you are unhappy with the appearance of short unsightly teeth this can be greatly improved by a combination of periodontal procedures by our Periodontic dentist.

Pits & Fissure Sealants

A veneer is a thin shell, wafer-thin (approx. 0,5 mm) of porcelain or composite that is bonded to The chewing surfaces of our teeth are not flat, they are crisply crossed with hills and valleys allowing food particles to be trapped in the pits and fissures. Thus permitting oral bacteria to feast on them and causing tooth decay in the process. In a nutshell, our teeth have to bear the brunt of all that we eat.

One method of preventing cavities from developing in the pits and fissures is to seal them off with a special varnish called a pit and fissure sealant. If your dentist determines that you need a pit and fissure sealant to help protect your teeth from decay, some special steps are taken to prepare the teeth first.

Your dentist will clean the tooth first, then apply a mild acid solution to ‘etch’ the surface and make it easier for the pit and fissure sealant to stick. The whole procedure is quick and painless. Keeping the area dry and away from your saliva during the application is very important. Once everything is ready, your dentist ‘paints’ the sealant right over the pits and fissures on the tooth surface. A special kind of light cures the sealant and makes it ready for use.

ur teeth are constantly being covered with a sticky film of bacteria, called plaque. When we eat or drink anything that contains sugar or starch – such as milk, bread, biscuits, toffee, aerated drinks, juice, fruit, and many other foods and beverages-bacteria turn the sugar and starch into acids that can attack tooth enamel. For some people, repeated attacks may eventually result in decay. The good news is that there is a way to protect your teeth and prevent decay.

One of the most common places that tooth decay develops is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, the premolars, and molars. When you run your tongue along the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, you can feel depressions and grooves. These indentations, called pits and fissures, help to grind food.

Regular brushing and cleaning between teeth with floss or another interdentally cleaner help remove food particles and bacteria from the smooth surfaces of tooth enamel. However, it’s difficult to keep the pits and fissures clean. That’s because toothbrush bristles can’t reach into the grooves of your back teeth to remove plaque, bacteria and tiny particles of food.

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?

Because the grooves on the back of your teeth are hard to keep clean, your dentist may recommend dental sealants. A dental sealant is plastic material that is applied to a chewing surface of a back tooth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel by “sealing out” plaque and food.

HOW ARE SEALANTS APPLIED?

Sealants are easy to apply, and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth & it is a “painless “procedure, First, the teeth that will be sealed are cleaned and prepared to accept the sealant. The sealant is then ‘painted’ onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes a special curing light is used to harden the sealant. Sealants are generally clear or white and cannot be seen when you smile or talk.

HOW LONG DO SEALANTS LAST?

As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth’s chewing surfaces will be protected from plaque and food. Sealants, which hold up well under the force of everyday chewing, can last a few years before a reapplication is needed. However, it is important to see the dentist regularly to check that the sealant remains intact.

The likelihood of developing tooth decay on the chewing surfaces begins shortly after teeth come into the mouth, so children and teenagers are obvious candidates for sealants. Adults can benefit from sealants too because you never “outgrow” the risk for developing cavities.

KEEPING YOUR SMILE HEALTHY

Dental sealants can help prevent decay. They can also help you save time and money that would have been spent on restorative dental procedures. In order to keep your smile healthy, brush twice a day with toothpaste prescribed by your dentist. You should clean between your teeth with floss or another interdentally cleaner once a day, visit your dentist regularly and avid frequent between –meal snacks.