Everyone will, at some point in their life, suffer with dental problems, with toothache often being described as one of the worst forms of pain to endure. However, dental problems do not simply start and end with the teeth, they also include the gums and jaw structure.
It is worth noting that dentistry is a very specialist area of medicine, and is recognized as the first specialized medical practice, dating back to around 7000 BC. Now, in the 21st century, dentistry exploits the use of high-quality scientific research, leading to evidence-based decision making in the conservation, diagnostics, curing and repair of a vast spectrum of oral health issues.
When tooth pain strikes, people instinctively seek help from a qualified dentist. But it is worth noting that there are two very distinct, qualified practitioners within the medical field of dentistry. They are, the qualified dentist, and the qualified orthodontist.
What is a Dentist?
A qualified dentist is able to treat a wide range of dental health problems. This may include repairs to cavities, broken and missing teeth, root canal treatment plus other restorative treatments, like tooth fillings, crowns, and bridges. Additionally, they are able to diagnose and treat gum disorders.
What is an Orthodontist?
First, we must be clear that all orthodontists are dentists, however, not all dentists are orthodontists. To qualify as an orthodontist, a qualified dentist will undergo additional training that will focus on teeth and jaw alignment. An orthodontist is able to diagnose and offer treatment in correcting irregular bites, occlusions and teeth alignment. Completing this additional training can take years.
Specialist Dental Clinics
When you become aware of a dental problem it is essential to seek appropriate medical advice and treatment. Attending a specialist dental clinic is the wise choice, but a choice that should be made carefully. Choose a clinic with highly qualified dentists and orthodontists, one that embraces the most modern technology and treatment practices. A good example is Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital Dental Clinic in Bangkok.
This is a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the capital which offers an exemplary service to both the indigenous population, expats living in Thailand, and an ever-growing number of foreigners who visit specifically for dental treatment at one of the world’s best dental clinics.
The clinic’s diagnostic, treatment and operating suites include the most advanced equipment and technologies. These include standard X-ray suites and the most advanced 360-degree panoramic X-ray suite which allows the physician to inspect the entire mouth from a single image.
The clinic also has specialized dental treatment and operative suites which are equipped for both local and general anesthesia. All suites are subject to Samitivej Hospital’s unique “Real Clean Means” system of cleaning and sterilization, which, as with all aspects of their patient service, adheres to ISO 9001:2000.
Treatment at Samitivej Dental Clinic
Initially, every visitor will undergo a comprehensive oral and general health evaluation. The general health evaluation of the patient will be in the form of a question-and-answer assessment to ascertain if there are any underlying health conditions that may have an effect on deciding the best treatment for any dental health issues.
Most common reparative treatments include fillings and crowns. Fillings are used to repair damage from minor to moderate tooth decay. The material used for a filling can vary from amalgam, gold, porcelain, or composite resin. Generally, fillings are an inexpensive way of repairing a tooth damaged by decay.
Should a tooth be extensively damaged by decay, broken or cracked, a crown will most likely be offered to the patient. After removing the damaged tooth area, the crown will be placed over the remaining tooth structure. It is quite literally a cap which restores the tooth’s shape and size. A crown may be made from porcelain, metal, or ceramic materials. The procedure of fitting a crown is more invasive than a filling, requires more than one visit to the clinic, and is a more expensive option.
Another common procedure is fitting dental braces. Braces are designed and fitted to correct a number of different issues, including, crooked, crowded, and gapped teeth. Braces are also used to correct malocclusion, which is where there is an issue in the way the teeth come together.
There are several different types of traditional braces, metal and ceramic being the most common. Metal braces are highly visible, but effective and durable. The ceramic equivalents are equally as effective, but visually less obtrusive, although they are more fragile with a greater likelihood of being broken.
Lingual braces work in the same way as traditional braces. However, they are designed to be fitted to the back face of the teeth, as opposed to the front. This option is often chosen by a client that is more conscious of other people seeing that they are wearing braces.
Self-ligating braces are a popular choice of brace which look very similar to traditional metal braces. But instead of using small elastic ligatures, self-ligating braces have their own built-in system which holds the arch wire in place.
Clear aligners, sometimes called “invisible braces,” are an alternative to the more traditional braces. These do not have brackets or wires. Instead, clear aligners use a series of made to measure mouth trays to straighten or realign the teeth over a period of time. Each set of mouth trays will be worn for around 2 weeks, then swapped for the next set in the series. Although removable, they should only be removed for eating, drinking and for cleaning the teeth.
In addition to all the common dental treatments, Samitivej Hospital’s Dental Clinic undertakes less common and very specialized procedures. This might include treatment for a cleft palate in a child, and jawbone surgery. All are conducted by the clinic’s world class team of doctors and nurses.
The cosmetic side of dentistry is becoming ever more popular with specialized teeth cleaning and whitening being in increasing demand, as is the fitting of tooth veneers. With the popularity of these, and similar procedures, there are now many facilities whose treatment and service fall well below what a client has a right to expect.
With many risks attached to any medical procedure, cosmetic or otherwise, it is essential to seek only the very best advice and treatment. Samitivej Hospital is synonymous with medical care of the highest degree, and the Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital Dental Clinic lives up to, and enhances, the worldwide reputation of Samitivej Hospital.
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