Denticare FAQ
Visit our FAQ page for answers to frequently asked questions regarding our services such as wisdom tooth removal, teeth whitening, braces and more.
Merger with Royce Dental Group
There will be no change to your existing appointments with Denticare arising from the merger.
All Denticare clinics will continue to operate under the current brand with no expected disruption to patient appointments or services.
There are no planned clinic closures or operating hours arising from the merger, in the near term.
You will be able to continue seeing the same dentist for your general dentistry needs. However, for specialist treatments, you may be referred to either a specialist from Denticare or Royce Dental Group.
For specialist services currently provided by Denticare, similar pricing schemes will apply.
Patients holding CHAS, Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation Cards will remain entitled to the relevant subsidies at Denticare clinics.
For further details on subsidies, please click here.
Yes, Link Reward members will continue to earn Linkpoints at Denticare clinics.
We are looking into the possibility of enabling Link Reward members to earn Linkpoints when they visit Royce Dental Group’s clinics.
For now, only patients holding Trust Bank debit/credit cards can earn Linkpoints when they visit Royce Dental Group’s clinics.
There are currently no changes to the corporate rates offered under our Corporate Dental Programme.
Our focus is on ensuring that our patients continue to receive quality care and services at our clinics.
At this moment, Denticare Corporate clients will need to present at Denticare clinics to enjoy their corporate dental benefits.
We are exploring the possibility of extending the corporate rates to Royce Dental Group of clinics and will provide updates when confirmed.
At this moment, clients will continue to enjoy the existing benefits similar to pre-merger arrangements.
We are in the process of harmonising the benefits to ensure simplicity.
Royce Dental Group is a leading dental group in Singapore that operates a dental training academy, and offers dental laboratory services, routine dental treatments and specialised procedures like Orthodontics, Oral Surgery and Implants, Endodontics, Periodontics and Aesthetic Dentistry.
The Group started its first clinic in 2004. Through organic growth and acquisitions of several standalone clinics, as well as the acquisition of Smileworks Pte Ltd in 2020, the Group now owns more than 25 dental clinics and specialist centres across Singapore.
For more information on Royce Dental Group’s clinic locations, please click here.
The merger will provide patients with access to a wider network of clinics islandwide, with many of them strategically located within the heartlands to provide greater convenience.
With a total of 46 clinics and more than 160 professional dentists and specialists, patients can benefit from greater coordination between general and specialist services to meet their needs such as seamless referrals for in-house specialist treatments.
As part of the merger, your personal data will be transferred to the merged entity, in line with the provisions of the Personal Data Protection Act 2012, as well as Denticare’s Privacy Policy.
No action is required from you.
General Dentistry
You should visit a dentist every 6 months for professional cleaning and examination. This is especially important for people who:
- are prone to plaque and tartar buildup
- are smokers as they are at increased risk for oral cancer, gum disease and oral infection
- have persistent bad breath
- have gum disease, to make sure the condition is treated
- have heart disease, as poor dental health may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke
You should also make an appointment with our dentist as soon as possible if you experience the following symptoms:
- toothaches that do not go away
- chronic jaw pain
- persistent bleeding gums
- mouth sores that do not heal
- loss of fillings, lose and broken braces or issues with other dental work
Patients holding CHAS Blue or Orange, Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation Cards will be entitled to the relevant subsidies.
Denticare is accredited by the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) as a day surgery facility. Patients who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents of Singapore may be able to claim a portion of their surgical expenses from their Medisave Account. The exact amount would depend on the complexity of the procedure.
You may call our enquiries and appointment hotline at 6336 6222 or visit the Fees and Subsidies page on our website to find out more about fees and subsidies.
All our extractions are performed under anaesthetic. As such, you should not experience significant discomfort, even after the procedure. We also provide painkillers where necessary.
You can expect the initial healing process to take at least 2 weeks, but most swelling and bleeding should stop within 1-2 days after the procedure. If the bleeding does not stop after this period of time, you can take some steps to address it on your own, such as biting firmly on gauze for 15 to 20 minutes. If this does not stop the bleeding, give us a call immediately, and we will arrange for a check-up.
You can also reduce swelling and pain, such as using ice packs, followed by a warm compress to prevent a sore and stiff jaw.
A blood clot usually forms at the site of the tooth extraction, serving as a protection over the underlying bone and nerve endings in the empty tooth socket. Avoid smoking, using a straw, and any vigorous activity for the first two weeks. These activities could disrupt the blood clot, which in turn can cause more bleeding or painful inflammation, overall disrupting the healing process.
Learn more about post-oral surgery here.
Scaling and Polishing
You should visit a dentist every 6 months for professional cleaning and examination. This is especially important for people who:
- are prone to plaque and tartar buildup
- are smokers as they are at increased risk for oral cancer, gum disease and oral infection
- have persistent bad breath
- have gum disease, to make sure the condition is treated
- have heart disease, as poor dental health may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke
You should also make an appointment with our dentist as soon as possible if you experience the following symptoms:
- toothaches that do not go away
- chronic jaw pain
- persistent bleeding gums
- mouth sores that do not heal
- loss of fillings, lose and broken braces or issues with other dental work
Patients holding CHAS Blue or Orange, Pioneer Generation or Merdeka Generation Cards will be entitled to the relevant subsidies.
Denticare is accredited by the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) as a day surgery facility. Patients who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents of Singapore may be able to claim a portion of their surgical expenses from their Medisave Account. The exact amount would depend on the complexity of the procedure.
You may call our enquiries and appointment hotline at 6336 6222 or visit the Fees and Subsidies page on our website to find out more about fees and subsidies.
Teeth Whitening
The main difference between over-the-counter whitening kits and professionally dispensed products from our dentist is the concentration of the whitening gels used and the way they are applied.
Professionally dispensed gels applied during a visit to our dentist have a higher concentration of active ingredients. They deliver a more reliable and noticeable result in under an hour. Such in-office procedures are an effective, fast, and safe way to get your teeth whitened.
Should you opt for a take-home teeth whitening kit, our dentist will provide a custom mouth tray and prescription-strength gel kit. Simply wear the gel-filled tray at home, for 1 to 2 hours a day. You should see whitening results within 14-21 consecutive days.
A good time to use the take-home teeth whitening kit is at night, after a thorough teeth brushing and before going to bed. Cleaning your teeth before using the whitening kit helps in preventing bacteria build up, and giving your teeth a chance to rehydrate through the night while you sleep will help in preserving the whitening results. Furthermore, this reduces the chance of teeth staining as you won’t be eating during this time of the day.
Whitening your teeth with professional in-office teeth whitening or professional take-home procedures should only be done once a year.
Whitening your teeth too often, whether at the dentist’s office or with whitening kits at home, can be harmful to your teeth. Too much of it can cause bleeding gums and damage enamel, leading to increased tooth sensitivity or even damage to the nerves in the teeth.
Follow the instructions provided by our dentist to avoid the side effects of overuse and transition to a plan to maintain the results of your teeth whitening.
The results for teeth whitening may vary from person to person. If your teeth are more deeply stained, because of antibiotics for example, teeth whitening procedures may not significantly reduce the stains. If you have gum recession and exposed roots, worn out teeth or faulty fillings, you may experience sensitivity. Always check in with us to evaluate what is safer for you.
Teeth whitening is a safe procedure for pregnant or nursing mothers, and is not known to pose any risks to a developing foetus or nursing child.
Teeth whitening for children is not advised as their permanent teeth may not be fully developed.
It is possible to lighten tetracycline stains with teeth whitening procedures, but this should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, as it depends on the severity of the stains. It may not be possible to remove all the stains.
Singapore Ministry of Health regulations do not allow us to display any “before and after” photos of patients on our website.
You should be able to resume daily activities immediately. Our dentist will advise you to avoid food and drink that could stain your teeth for about a week and refrain from smoking. Should you find it difficult to give up your cup of coffee, consider using a straw or rinsing your teeth with water after consumption.
Teeth whitening procedures are normally painless. Some people may experience a minor dull ache and temporary teeth sensitivity. It is best to avoid very hot or cold drinks for the first 24 hours if there is any tooth sensitivity.
A desensitising gel is provided in the take-home kit and this can be used to address any sensitivity post treatment. Other common but short-lived side effects include irritation of gums, mouth ulcers and sore throat which are caused by the whitening ingredients, and should go away quickly.
If you have any concerns regarding the side effects, speak to your dentist during consultation, or give us a call to discuss it.
Teeth whitening is a safe and straightforward procedure when performed by a dentist. A common side effect experienced is sensitivity. However it varies from patient to patient and usually subsides fast.
The effect of whitening can last from several months up to 3 years. This can vary for each patient depending on their lifestyles, e.g. smoking habits, drinking coffee, tea or red wine that can potentially stain teeth.
We recommend a few steps to follow for you to keep that radiant new smile as long as possible. Maintain excellent oral hygiene (brush and floss after every meal), and steer clear of tobacco, food and drinks that discolour the teeth (coffee, tea, red wine, soft drinks). Using a straw can be a good option if you cannot give up on these foods and drinks.
Dental Braces
The treatment for dental braces takes between 2 – 3 years on average. The exact length will depend on your individual needs.
It might take a day or two to get used to talking and eating with your newly fixed braces in your mouth. In the meantime, also avoid biting on hard pieces of food such as whole uncut apples, to prevent your braces from dislodging.
The slight discomfort and tightness you experience will lessen as you get used to your dental braces. Your teeth are in the process of straightening and will feel more comfortable over time.
If ulcers develop on the side of your cheeks or lips due to the friction from the braces, you can relieve it with dental wax provided by our dentist or bought over the counter at pharmacies.
Do inform our dentist should you need help with managing any discomfort.
You will have to keep up your scheduled dental appointments and brush your teeth well. You should also care for your braces to prevent breakage, so that you complete your treatment within the expected duration.
If your braces become loose, call our clinic right away. You might need to book an earlier appointment to reapply your braces. Meanwhile, use dental wax to cover any sharp points and protect your mouth from getting cut.
If the bracket (part of the braces that attaches to each tooth) comes off, use a pair of clean tweezers to move it securely between teeth or on to a tooth to prevent it from sliding around.
Depending on the structure and placement of your teeth, we may need to extract one or a few teeth to make space for bringing the rest of them into alignment.
You will be required to wear retainers to maintain the alignment of your teeth in their corrected position. The removable retainers must be worn full time daily for the first six months, followed by night-time wear.
The duration of wear can be progressively reduced over time. However, we recommend that you continue to wear your retainers as often as possible to maintain the results of your newly straightened teeth.
Keep your retainers clean, simply by using a toothbrush and toothpaste, and rinse them with cool water. During your follow-up appointment every 6 months, our dentist will carry out regular professional cleaning of your teeth to keep them clean.
Getting treatment with dental braces may be done for aesthetic or functional reasons, or a combination of both.
You may find getting braces necessary if you experience problems with speaking or chewing well, or if you frequently bite on your lips, tongue and cheeks. Crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth also make it difficult to clean plaque and food debris effectively. Straightening your teeth through dental braces can help with correcting these issues.
As soon as all your permanent teeth are out, you can start your orthodontic treatment. The best time for braces is between the age of 12-24. On some occasions, our dentist will recommend early treatment.
It is never too late to have braces, as long as your gums are in good condition.
A quicker way to achieve straight teeth is by getting veneers, where a new set of teeth are bonded onto natural teeth. This process takes only a few visits to complete, as compared to braces which takes 1 – 2 years. Veneers can also improve the look of your teeth.
However, getting a set of veneers is more costly than braces. To find out if you are suitable for veneers, call us at 6336 6222 or submit an online enquiry with our form and we will be in touch with you.
Braces close gaps of various sizes and positions, and re-distribute the remaining gaps for an aesthetic filling. Aside from braces, gaps can also be filled with composite resin bonding, where a tooth-coloured filling is added to the teeth to make them wider. However, composite resin bonding only works when the gaps are small and symmetrical on both sides.
Damon braces and traditional braces are both used to straighten teeth. However, while a dentist manually adjusts the elastic bands that hold wires and brackets with traditional braces, Damon braces self-tighten according to the shape and structure of teeth.
Damon braces also typically have a shorter treatment time compared to conventional braces and typically require fewer dental appointments.
Yes, we do provide Invisalign braces as an option too. For those who want that “clear-braces” look, you may consider the Damon self-litigating braces for a more discreet option to conventional braces.
The Damon System is gentler and uses light “memory-shape” wires to progressively guide your teeth to their ideal position. Damon braces also uses less friction to move teeth, making them more comfortable than regular braces.
Damon System metal braces are available in two materials, stainless steel or polycarbonate.
At Denticare, we offer several types of archwires that come in varying materials and sizes as well as a nickel-free solution. Feel free to have a chat with our dentists to determine which solution is right for you.
Gum Treatment
Resume daily activities within a few hours after your procedure, especially if you have gone through our less invasive treatments. If you need more extensive surgery, our dentists will be able to advise on how much rest you will need after the procedures.
You should not be experiencing pain after gum treatment procedures. In the event you do feel some pain, our dentists will make sure to prescribe you the right medication.
The most common cause of gum bleeding is gingivitis (gum inflammation), a condition we can help address with simple treatments and cleaning. Check with our dental team to identify the cause of your bleeding.
Your mouth and gums communicate with the rest of your body. In some studies, untreated gum disease has been shown to be related to diabetes, heart and blood vessel diseases, stroke, pregnancy complications, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and some types of cancers.
Prior to some surgeries, your doctor will watch out for mouth infection, and recommend antibiotics before the procedure to prevent bacteria from your mouth travelling through the bloodstream and infecting other areas.
It all starts with good daily mouth hygiene habits.
We recommend brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, and visiting us for scaling and polishing twice a year. If we notice that gingivitis is present, we will conduct a thorough scaling and root planing.
We may also suggest other treatments to help minimise the risks for gum disease. For example, if your teeth are misaligned or your front teeth are crowded, braces can help to correct the alignment, which in turn helps to make it easier to keep your teeth clean. If your wisdom teeth are impacted and do not have enough room to erupt, we might recommend having them removed, to avoid gum inflammation or tooth decay.
If you feel like your front teeth seem longer than before, or abnormally long, we can help you in understanding the cause and possible course of treatment. With a dental examination and X-rays, we can assess the dental condition and rule out any underlying problems.
Gum disease might be a cause for long-looking teeth. When the bone and gums that support these teeth are destroyed, more root surfaces are exposed. In these cases, gum grafting can be an appropriate solution if you are diagnosed with receding gums.
If your gums are healthy but you wish to have shorter looking teeth, we may offer full ceramic crowns or root canal treatment. Finally, if you need to align your front teeth to the same level as others, you may also consider braces.
Dental Implants
Before recommending dental implants, our dentist will assess your overall health, ability to accept the implant and other factors that may affect your treatment. Speak to our dentists for an in-depth consultation to understand your needs.
Titanium dental implants are safe and have been used in dentistry for many years due to the low chance of complications. They are less reactive to physical and chemical corrosion than other metals and last for long periods of time. However, like all implants, there are still small risks of reaction with other metals in the mouth.
A dental implant looks and functions just like natural teeth, but may not feel exactly the same. Natural teeth have nerves in its roots that pick up sensations of pressure and temperature when you chew on food. A dental implant does not have roots or nerves. Therefore, any sensations you feel will come from the nerves in the surrounding gums and not the tooth itself.
You should not experience pain as the series of treatments for dental implants will be done under general or local anaesthesia. Post-surgery swelling and discomfort can be managed by medication provided by our dentist. However, should you experience persistent pain or infection, call us at 6336 6222.
On average, dental implants take about 6 to 8 months to heal. However, the amount of time taken to completely recover from dental implant surgery can increase, depending on your body’s ability to recover, whether you have any pre-existing health conditions, or whether you need to undergo special procedures before dental implant surgery.
With proper care and good health, dental implants have the potential to last a lifetime.
Right after dental implant surgery, you should follow our care tips for post-oral surgery. Some tips include avoiding food with extremely cold or hot temperatures, and eating soft food such as mashed potatoes, yogurts and smoothies. Try to chew on the side of the mouth that is not operated on.
You should also avoid hot, spicy or hard food that may irritate the surgery site and stay away from coffee and alcohol that may affect the healing process.
After each surgical procedure, avoid strenuous activities like intense exercise or hiking, for a week to two weeks to allow the site to heal. Avoid biting down on hard food on that side of the mouth. For more information, visit our pre-and-post oral surgery resources guide here.
The most straightforward way to care for the dental implant is to treat it as you would any other tooth – with diligent care. Maintain excellent oral health habits and regular dentist visits with Denticare.
Whether an implant can be done by a general dentist or requires a specialist, depends on the complexity of the situation. This is determined on a case by case basis after a consultation with our Denticare dentists.
The main difference between these two teeth replacement methods is that dental implants are fused to the jaw while dentures need to be removed nightly.
They also differ in longevity. With proper care and good health, dental implants can last for over 10 years or even longer, whereas removable dentures will need to be replaced every 5-8 years.
Dental implants are also more comfortable as they are structured to mimic the natural tooth by being placed directly into the jaw bone. Some people find conventional dentures uncomfortable because they may create a sensation of bulkiness or crowdedness in the mouth. This may result in the patient’s speech being affected.
Dental bridges will require preparation of adjacent teeth beside the gap to accept a dental crown. The crowns are linked to each other via a metal or zirconia framework spanning across the space, with a ceramic tooth built over it to cover the gap.
A dental implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone and does not require preparation of the neighbouring teeth which may still be in good condition.
In general, dental implants are safe for seniors who are in good health, have healthy gums and sufficient bone quality to place an implant. As always, please consult your nearest Denticare dentist to assess if you are suitable for dental implants.
Root Canal Treatment
Some signs that you need a root canal treatment include a severe toothache, especially upon biting, a sensitivity or pain to temperatures even after the source has been removed from the mouth, a darkened or discoloured tooth, swelling, tenderness or recurring pimple on the gums.
You can typically resume normal daily activities on the same day. However, please avoid chewing or biting on the treated tooth until it is restored by the dentist.
Root canal treatment is done under local anaesthesia.
The objective of root canal treatment is to relieve the toothache due to inflammation or infection of the tooth pulp.
Just take note that for the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. To manage this, take the medication prescribed by our dentist.
Depending on the severity of the infection in your tooth, a root canal can take between 30 to 90 minutes to complete. The procedure may also require multiple appointments to allow the tooth to dry before disinfecting and filling, which will affect the total length of time required.
In most cases, your root canal-treated tooth will last as long as your other natural teeth.
In rare instances, the tooth may also become painful or infected even after a successful treatment. This usually signifies new decay or leakage. We can perform the root canal treatment again to salvage your tooth.
Dentures
You can resume your daily activities immediately. Follow the instructions regarding the insertion and removal of your denture. Do not use too much force in removing your denture. Learning to eat with denture takes practice and time. You may have to cut foods into smaller pieces and chew slowly. Although denture can improve chewing function as opposed to having no teeth, it is not possible to achieve the same efficiency as natural teeth. Until you get used to sensing the temperature of hot food, avoid sticky, sharp food. As you gain confidence and ability in using your denture, you can experiment with foods of different textures.
Dentures are non-invasive and in most cases, should not be painful. At the beginning of getting new dentures, you may feel tightness or soreness in your gums. Your dentures may feel bulky and your mouth may feel “crowded”.
Do not worry as these are common symptoms and will usually improve over time.
In the event you require some adjustments to your dentures, give your attending dentist a call.
Every set of dentures are custom-made to fit the wearer. Should you experience any discomfort such as loose dentures or dentures that rub against your mouth and cause ulcers, please call us for an appointment to address the issue.
Well-maintained dentures can last for decades. However, as our gums change their shape over time, we would recommend replacing your dentures every 3-5 years.
Take care of your dentures and oral health with the following practices:
Brush your gums, tongue, and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and remove plaque.
Give your gums a break by removing your dentures before going to bed.
Treat your dentures to a long soak in a glass of water. Dry dentures can become brittle and crack. Avoid placing them in hot water as it can warp your dentures.
Gently rinse your dentures after each meal with warm or cold water. You can also use mouthwash. Use a soft bristle toothbrush with gentle soap or approved dentures cleaner to brush both the inside and outside of the dentures. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or toothpastes and be careful not to drop your dentures as they may crack. Do all your cleaning above a basin of water for extra safety.
In some cases, a fungal infection (candida albicans) can develop in the gums if there is inadequate hygiene or if you regularly keep dentures on through the night.
Do visit us for regular dental checks to ensure that your dentures are at their best.
In general, dentures cannot be whitened because the material used to make the false teeth will not respond to whitening kits, solutions or whitening toothpaste. In fact, whitening chemicals may damage the structure of dentures.
While high quality dentures are less prone to discolouration or stains, you should still aim to prevent stains from forming by cleaning your dentures regularly. They can also be brought to the dentist for professional removal of plaque and calculus.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental Crowns
Patients can typically resume your normal activities within 2 hours following the procedures.
Bridges
You should be able to resume normal daily activities within a few hours.
Dental Crowns
We use a local anaesthetic to numb the area before we start any work on your tooth. This will help minimise any painful sensations. During the procedure, you should not feel any pain or discomfort.
However, if your tooth has an existing infection and has not undergone root canal treatment, you may experience some mild sensitivity. Take the medication prescribed by our dentist, and this discomfort should subside.
Dental Bridges
Before the procedure, we use local anaesthesia to numb the gums. After the procedure, you should not feel any pain or discomfort. You may experience mild sensitivity to extreme hot or cold temperatures in the mouth for a few weeks after the bridge is attached. This should subside and you should be able to enjoy ice cream and hot soup again very soon.
Depending on which tooth you are making a crown for, whether you have allergies to certain metals, whether you want a natural-looking tooth and how long you expect it to last before replacing it, you have various materials to choose from. Dental crowns can be made up of metals, porcelain, ceramic, resin, or a combination of materials. Speak to our dentist to find out what is most suitable.
Your crown can last 8 to 12 years if you take good care of it. Make sure you clean between your crowns and teeth, and floss to remove plaque from the crown area where your gum meets your tooth. Lastly, don’t forget to return for regular check-ups at our Denticare clinics.
Crowns are used to strengthen your teeth if they are weak. If one of your teeth has part of its structure damaged by decay or fracture, crowns are a good solution to restore your teeth to their normal shape and size. If your tooth is cracked, the crown holds the tooth together.
On the other hand, veneers are thin porcelain coverings that are bonded onto the outer front of the teeth.
Temporary dental crowns are used as a short-term fix until a permanent crown is ready to be fitted on the tooth. When you have a temporary crown, avoid sticky, chewy and hard food which could dislodge or break the crown. Minimize use of the side of your mouth with the temporary crown and try to chew on the other side of your mouth.
In the past, metal was the main material used to make crowns and this often showed through, creating a dark edge. Now, crowns are made of high-quality porcelain which blends with the colour of your natural teeth.
Generally, your teeth next to the missing teeth must be in good health and you need to have healthy gums. If healthy adjacent teeth are not available, there are alternatives such as dental implants. Sometimes, root canal treatment may be recommended when there is extensive tooth decay.
You will need to carefully brush and floss all areas around the bridge, daily. Use a floss called “Superfloss”, specially developed to care for dental bridges. It can go underneath the pontic and keep your gum tissue healthy. On top of this daily care routine, do visit us every 6 months for check-ups.
If you care for them well, your bridges can last you at least 8 to 10 years.
Dental bridges have the potential to be stained by dark and acidic foods. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products may not help in whitening dental bridges, and can even damage the material in your artificial teeth. You can opt to replace your dental bridge at our clinic with that of your choice shade.
Both dental bridges and partial dentures replace missing teeth that have been lost to restore function and bite. Generally, dental bridges may be recommended if you have only one or two teeth missing and want a more permanent solution, while partial dentures may be more suitable if you have multiple lost teeth and want the flexibility of taking it off at night.
There are also differences to costs that you should discuss with our dentist. Regardless of the choice, both solutions will require thorough cleaning to care for them and are important in maintaining a full bite.
Leaving gaps untreated may lead to further deterioration of your oral health. Gum disease and tooth decay are more likely to occur. In addition, empty spaces may cause the teeth to shift out of their proper position. Some people may have difficulty in chewing and speaking when they have missing teeth. These can be overcome with a bridge.
Unlike a denture which you can remove to clean, bridges are cemented to your teeth and cannot be removed at home.
Dental Veneers
Caring for dental veneers can be done by practising good oral hygiene – brush and floss thoroughly, avoid habits and foods that stain teeth such as tobacco, wine and coffee, and visit the dentist twice yearly. Take care of your dental veneers and avoid biting on hard objects to minimise the risk of breaking the veneer.
The dentist may use local anaesthesia during the preparation and the process should not be painful. However, tooth sensitivity following the procedure is normal and can be managed with painkillers provided by the dentist. Avoid hot or freezing cold food to minimise tooth sensitivity and call us at 6336 6222 if the pain persists.
Women who are in their third trimester of pregnancy may find it uncomfortable to lay down in the dentist’s chair for long periods of time, and should wait till after pregnancy to get dental veneers.
Veneers are not recommended for children with milk teeth.
In the event that your temporary or permanent dental veneers fall out, make an appointment at 6336 6222 to re-cement it. Meanwhile, do not try to re-adhere it with home methods and keep the veneer in a small container to bring to the dentist during your next appointment.
Dental veneers are a cosmetic procedure and do not give much structural support to the tooth. For patients prone to teeth grinding, they can consider recommendations from the dentist such as dental crowns, mouth guards, and other methods of curbing their bruxism.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Our dentist will take an X-ray to show all the teeth in your mouth and indicate any problem areas, before examining your teeth and provide the best plan of action for your wisdom teeth.
Rest assured that our dentist will discuss with you the benefits and risks of wisdom teeth removal before you make your choice.
If you experience pain and swelling at the back of your teeth, chances are your wisdom tooth is impacted and growing at an angle that affects the neighbouring tooth’s nerves. Sometimes, wisdom teeth also stop growing while halfway emerged from the gums, which may feel painful and result in tooth decay if food is trapped in those areas.
In severe cases, an impacted wisdom tooth can develop into cysts, abscesses, and tumours. Removing the affected wisdom tooth is essential to protect the rest of your healthy teeth and bone from damage.
It is common for an impacted wisdom tooth to show no problems.
However, in some cases, these problems appear later down the road, damaging the teeth in front of them. In other cases, wisdom teeth may remain deeply embedded, turning into a cyst that requires more complex surgery to resolve. Having frequent check-ups with your dentist will help you identify and address impacted wisdom teeth sooner.
Unfortunately this is not possible with today’s current technology.
A wisdom tooth extraction is a simple extraction of the tooth that is visible in the mouth. After local anesthetic is applied, tools are used to elevate and grasp the tooth. It is moved back and forth till the ligaments holding the tooth in place are broken and the tooth can be pulled out.
Meanwhile, a wisdom tooth surgery involves the removal of teeth that are not as easily accessible, such as when a tooth is half erupted. Gums and bone may be cut open or removed, with the wisdom tooth sometimes sectioned into pieces to help with removing it. This is sometimes done under general anesthesia. Our dentist will recommend a suitable procedure depending on your case.
The earlier, the better. For a safer and quicker recovery, we recommend wisdom tooth removal to be performed during a patient’s teenage years to early 20s.
For straightforward cases, the procedure usually takes a short 15 to 45 minutes, including preparation time.
Wisdom teeth removals are a safe procedure. In rare cases, numbness of some parts of the tongue, lip or chin may occur because the nerves affecting this area are close to the procedure site. This numbness is usually temporary.
We recommend avoiding chewing on that side of the mouth right after the surgery, to allow a comfortable recovery and healing process. When it is healed, you can continue to eat normally.
You will be able to enjoy normal daily activities within a few hours.
In some cases, you may experience some swelling and mild discomfort after wisdom tooth removal. This should remain manageable with the medication prescribed by our dentist.
We kindly advise you to follow our post-surgery care instructions for a speedy recovery.
Wisdom tooth removal rarely results in complications. That being said, you may experience;
1. Infection: Most are minor and will subside with local incision, drainage, and antibiotics. The whole course of antibiotics should be completed.
2. Tooth root fracture: The roots of the tooth sometimes break off during extraction. They may be removed or left in situ. The dentist may decide to leave the root in situ if there is no disease, or if removing it poses a bigger complication to the surrounding tissue.
3. Dry socket: This occurs when a blood clot from the extraction is dislodged and the bone is exposed in its early healing stage. It is usually seen in women on oral contraceptive pills and smokers. If you experience a constant throbbing pain that lasts for many days, contact your dentist.
4. Numbness or altered sensation: An impacted lower wisdom tooth may be close to the nerve. In some cases, extracting the wisdom tooth injures the nerve, which could cause numbness and tingling in the lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums. This usually heals itself, and only in rare cases is it permanent.
5. A displaced tooth in rare instances, where an impacted tooth is dislodged and trapped in the sinus or different spaces around the jaw. This may require a more extensive procedure to remove the impacted tooth.
6. Jaw fracture
Refer to our friendly guide Oral Surgery: Pre & Post-Surgery Care for more information.
Stitches from wisdom teeth procedures usually dissolve on their own after two weeks. In rare instances, you may see a loose stitch poking out. Call our dentist if this is bothering you, or you see that the wound has opened, or if the wound is bleeding or infected.
CHAS subsidies cannot be used for surgery, but can be used for routine teeth extractions. If your wisdom teeth extraction requires surgery, then you will be able to utilise your Medisave to pay for it, but you will not be eligible for any CHAS subsidy. For wisdom teeth extractions without surgery, CHAS subsidies can be applied.
Invisalign
Invisalign treatment can range from a few months to a few years, depending on case complexity.
You will be able to resume daily activities immediately. It may take a few days for you to get used to the aligners.
There may be slight discomfort the first time you use the aligners as well as with each aligner change, as your teeth are being moved into the desired positions.
The aligners should be worn most of the day and during your sleep, approximately 20 hours a day. Aligners must be cleaned daily to avoid plaque build-up. They also have to be removed before food and beverages, to prevent food and sugar accumulation within the aligners. Care must be exercised not to lose or distort your aligners.
Should your aligners break or go missing, please inform our orthodontist as soon as possible and he/she will advise you of the next steps.
Invisalign can resolve a range of bite and alignment issues. These include but are not limited to:
- Gaps between teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Protruding teeth – front teeth that stick out
- Open bite – front teeth not overlapping
- Deep bite – lower front teeth not visible on smiling
- Underbite – lower front teeth ahead of upper front teeth
A consultation with our orthodontist is necessary to assess your bite/alignment issues, prior to advising if Invisalign is the best option for you.
Invisalign has no age limit, if your teeth are in good dental health. Speak with our orthodontist to understand your bite/alignment problems and to determine if Invisalign is a feasible option for you.