Fissure sealants are a safe and painless way of protecting your teeth from tooth decay. It is a tooth coloured coating which covers the chewing surfaces of the adult teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth. Most tooth decay occurs in these areas, especially the back teeth. It is quick and painless, taking only a few short visits. Firstly, Dr Tran will clean and prepare the tooth with a special solution. The tooth is then dried with air. The material is then applied and set hard using a special light. They are tooth coloured and near invisible to the naked eye. Sealants can last for many years and Dr Tran will check them at each check-up visit. To ensure the longevity of the seals, it is still important that teeth are brushed twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. The sealed surfaces will now be easier to clean.
A mouth guard is a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, arches, lips and gums. Firstly, Dr Tran will take an impression of your teeth and a mouth guard is then molded over the model using a special material. Generally, mouth guards cover your upper teeth only, but in some cases, your lower teeth. An effective mouth guard should be comfortable, resist tears, be durable and easy to clean. It should not restrict your breathing or speech. Dr Tran will suggest the most suitable mouth guard for you.
A sleep apnoea appliance is worn during sleep. This keeps the jaw and tongue in a position where airflow is not obstructed. What is the difference between snoring and sleep apnoea ? In snoring, the airway is only partially obstructed. Sleep apnoea is more serious than snoring because the airway is almost completely closed off and the person can stop breathing for up to ten seconds at a time, or even longer. This is easily picked up because the snoring follows a pattern. The snorer will make the loud snoring sounds, followed by silence. This is then followed by gasping or choking as the person starts to breathe again. Snoring is often an indicator of obstructed sleep apnoea and Dr Tran can advise the best treatment for you. These special mouth guards are often designed by dentists to hold the jaw and tongue in a specific position so that there is no airway obstruction. The jaw is gently held slightly forward, and the tongue is held down so that it doesn't fall back into the throat and block airflow into the body. Any other soft oral tissue is also prevented from obstructing the airway.
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching (also called bruxism) is often related to stress or anxiety. It doesn't always cause symptoms but in some cases people can get facial pain, headaches, and it can wear down your teeth over time. Most people who grind their teeth and clench their jaw aren't aware they're doing it. In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. In chronic cases, grinding may wear teeth down prematurely. Dr Tran can custom make a mouth guard to protect your teeth from any damage this may cause.
