About Tooth Helpline:

The minor surgeries and all other procedures are done at our Dental Centre in T.Nagar whereas the major surgeries under General Anaesthesia are done at our Ramapuram Centre which is attached to Srushti Hospital, a 100 bed multi specialty hospital. It is well equipped with Emergency care and well maintained Operation Theatres and also associated with the leading medical insurance providers.(ICICI, Star Health, TTK, Paramount and many more)

We understand the impact of the hospital environment on the patient experience. This is why we have given great importance to the interiors of our dental centre. Neatly decorated operating suites and pleasant waiting rooms are designed to make the experience more comfortable for all our patients.

We maintain accurate dental record system for monitoring patients, thereby assuring excellent follow-up treatment.

About our Consultants:

Dr. Prabhakar M.D.S has presented a number of scientific papers and posters in several National conferences. His thesis on “Herbal Irrigants used in Root Canal Therapy” was done in association with Dr. Anil Kishen, M.D.S., Ph D, Research Head, National University of Singapore” and was well appreciated by renowned endodontists. It was recently published in the Journal of Endodontics which is the third best journal in Dentistry internationally. He is currently working as a Senior Lecturer at Tagore Dental College and Hospital where he has guided students and bagged Best Papers in National conferences in Conservative Dentistry.

DR.PRIYA PRABHAKAR, M.D.S is a Periodontist who treats any infection in the gums and the bone surrounding the teeth. She completed her BDS from Saveetha Dental College in the year 1999 and MDS from Ragas Dental College. To add a feather to her cap, she has undergone extensive training in Dental Implant treatment conducted by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and has been trained by the pioneers in the field. She has presented several papers and posters in many National Conferences. She has also bagged the prizes for best paper and best poster. She has done wide research in “Oral Health and Infertility Treatment” and has also presented it as a paper in a Periodontology National Conference. She has given interveiws to a number of newspapers, the recent one being the "Virakesari" , a tamil newspaper in Srilanka. She has a publication in the Journal of Indian Society of Peridontology of her thesis on Ridge Augmentation which is an important aspect in Implant Dentistry. She is currently working as a Senior Lecturer at Tagore Dental College and Hospital.

Procedures

Why would I need a Root Canal Treatment?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

What are the signs of needing Root Canal Treatment?

Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gingival tissues. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms.

How does Root Canal Treatment save the tooth?

The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, we will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques such as automated root canal therapy and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure.

For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with prescription medications. Follow your endodontist’s instructions carefully.

Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call your endodontist.

Endodontic Procedure

In the earlier days, root canal treatment was performed in multiple visits with hand instruments which can result in post operative pain and discomfort. But in our clinic, Dr. Prabhakar employs only the latest Automated Rotary endodontic technique which reduces the number of visits and definitely alleviates pain and discomfort.

The Root canal treatment involves the following steps:

1. After the administration of the local anesthetic and the tooth is numb, the endodontist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth.
2. The inside of the root canal is cleaned and shaped using rotary instrumentation.
3. Then the space is filled with a bio-compatible material referred to as “Gutta Percha”
4. A temporary filling is placed to close the opening which will be removed before the tooth is restored with a crown.

After a Root Canal

Soreness:

Most patients experience a little soreness after the appointment. This may be due to the injection, the necessity of keeping the mouth open for a long time, or the treatment. Your temporary filling will be hard enough to bite on within approximately a half-hour, but avoid biting or chewing on the treated tooth if it hurts.

Pain: Sometime pain and swelling may be present after RCT. Remember, if your tooth hurt before you came in for treatment, it may take a while to heal. Take proper dosage of Antibiotics and Pain Killers as per the instruction of the Doctor which will reduce the pain and swelling slowly

Permanent Filling: When your root canal treatment is complete, a temporary filling is placed. The tooth needs to be permanently restored to prevent contamination or fracture. It is important to return promptly because the temporary filling can loosen and leak, possibly causing the root canal treatment to fail, which would necessitate re-treatment.

Root Canal Therapy Verses Extraction

First, nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause the patient to avoid certain foods. Maintaining the natural dentition is important so that the patient can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in his or her diet.

Second, endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulps and usually is less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant. As previously mentioned, endodontic treatment has a very high success rate.

Third, placement of a bridge or an implant will require significantly more time in treatment and may result in further insult to adjacent teeth and supporting tissues. Millions of endodontically treated teeth have been well maintained in patients for many years after the initial treatment. These now healthy teeth are helping patients chew efficiently and help to maintain the natural appearance of their smile.

Scaling and Root Planing

The early stages of gum disease can often be reversed with proper brushing and flossing. Good oral health will help keep plaque from building up.

1. A professional cleaning by your dentist or hygienist is the only way to remove plaque that has built up and hardened into tartar. Your dentist or hygienist will clean or "scale" your teeth to remove the tartar above and below the gumline.
2. If your condition is more severe, a root planing procedure may be performed. Root planing helps to smooth irregularities on the roots of the teeth making it more difficult for plaque to deposit there.

Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Scalers

We at Tooth Helpline use only Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Scalers. This technology produces perceptible vibration on tooth surface which breaks up hard calculus faster; but results inless patient discomfort.

Periodontal Flap Surgery - What Is It?

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 are removed and the bone is examined. Because periodontal disease causes bone loss, often the bone will need to be re-contoured in order for the gum to heal properly. Then the periodontist sews the tissue back into place. Removing or smoothing damaged tissue allows the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone

It is very important for you to keep your mouth as clean as possible while the surgical site is healing. This means you should brush and floss the rest of your mouth normally. You can use a toothbrush to gently remove plaque from the teeth. Antimicrobial mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine kill bacteria and help your mouth to heal.

You may have some swelling, and this can be minimized by applying an ice pack to the outside of your face in the treated area. In some situations, antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent an infection, and these should be taken as instructed. Your periodontist will want to reexamine the area in 7 to 10 days.

It is normal to feel some discomfort or pain and experience some minor bleeding during the first 48 hours after the procedure. These symptoms usually subside after a couple of days. Call your periodontist if bleeding continues or if the symptoms deteriorate after the first three days. This can be caused by an infection that has to be taken care of promptly.

Useful Patient Info

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth. It is caused by the bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. If not removed through daily brushing and flossing, plaque can build up and the bacteria infect not only your gums and teeth, but eventually the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth. This can cause them to become loose, fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.

There are three stages of gum disease:

Gingivitis: this is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gumline. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins (poisons) that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. You may notice some bleeding during brushing and flossing. At this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.

Periodontitis: at this stage, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may begin to form a pocket below the gumline, which traps food and plaque. Proper dental treatment and improved home care can usually help prevent further damage.

Advanced Periodontitis: in this final stage of gum disease, the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are destroyed, which can cause your teeth to shift or loosen. This can affect your bite and, if aggressive treatment can't save them, teeth may need to be removed.

How do I Know if I Have Gum Disease?

Gum disease can occur at any age, but it is most common among adults. If detected in its early stages, gum disease can be reversed so see your dentist if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Gums that are red, puffy or swollen, or tender
• Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
• Teeth that look longer because your gums have receded
• Gums that have separated, or pulled away, from your teeth, creating a pocket
• Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Pus coming from between your teeth and gums
• Constant bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth

Contact Us

Helpline One

98, Habibullah Road

Opp to Karnataka Sangha School

T.Nagar, Chennai – 600017

Helpline Two

1, Padmavathy street

Thirumalai Nagar, Ramapuram,

Chennai-89

Phone Numbers

T.Nagar Centre : 044 - 2834 27 27

Ramapuram Centre : 044-2486 1144

Email

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Website

www.toothhelpline.com

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