We aim to provide quality dental care for functional and sustainable oral health. Early signs of dental problems may be detected and treated at a manageable state.

Learn more on Routine dental check-up, Scaling and polishing, Tooth extraction, Fillings, Teeth whitening

Routine dental check-up

A routine dental check-up is important as it enables the dentist to assess the general health of your teeth and gums. Early signs of dental problems may be detected and treated at a manageable state.

During the dental check-up, our dentist will examine your overall dental condition and oral hygiene. Problems like tooth decay, cracked teeth, gum disease and old dental work which may be worn out and need replacement can be identified. Dental X-rays may be used to detect dental decay, and to examine the tooth root and bone structures covered by the gums and cheeks.

If there are signs of dental problems, our dentist will advise you on the steps to improve your oral health such as receiving dental scaling and polishing, dental fillings, topical fluoride application and braces treatment.

Scaling and polishing

Even with regular toothbrushing and flossing, there will be areas on the teeth in your mouth that are hard to reach and difficult to keep clean. In these areas, bacterial plaque can accumulate and may eventually mineralise to form calculus, commonly known as tartar. Dental plaque and tartar can cause a variety of dental diseases such as dental decay, gum bleeding, gum disease and swelling.

Dental plaque can be removed by toothbrushing and flossing, but the hardened tartar can only be removed by a dental professional through dental scaling. A dental scaling involves the removal of accumulated plaque and tartar deposits without damaging your teeth and gums.  After the dental scaling, our dentist will polish your teeth to remove residual stains which may have been caused by coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco, and smoothen surface roughness.

Getting your teeth cleaned by a dental professional regularly will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. The recommended interval may be advised by the dentist.

Tooth extraction

Tooth extraction is necessary when a tooth is excessively decayed or cannot be treated with filling, crowning or other forms of treatment. Patients receiving braces treatment may also need tooth extraction to create space for alignment of the teeth.

Before tooth extraction, our dentist will take a dental X-ray to evaluate the internal aspects of the tooth, root and bone surrounding it. Depending on the visibility, accessibility and impaction status, the tooth may require either a simple extraction or a surgical tooth extraction. A simple extraction involves the removal of a tooth that can be seen and accessed in the mouth. Surgical tooth extraction is a more complex procedure which involves the removal of a tooth that is not visible or not accessible in the mouth, either because it has not erupted or because the tooth has broken off.

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is a non-invasive procedure to brighten and whiten discoloured teeth for a sparkly smile.

There are several factors that can affect natural teeth colour. Among these factors are:

• Smoking
• Ageing, as the enamel gets thinner and the dentine appears darker
• Frequent consumption of coffee, tea, soft drinks, red wine and pigmented foods
• Accumulation of plaque or tartar deposits
• Excessive usage of fluoride products during early childhood
• Treatment with tetracycline antibiotics as well as chemotherapeutic drugs
• Trauma to the teeth that may cause a brown, grey or black colour

Can everyone benefit from teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is effective in removing most stains on natural tooth structure. It is however not effective on cosmetic dental restorations such as tooth-coloured fillings, metal or porcelain crowns. You are recommended to consult a dentist before undergoing any teeth whitening procedures.

Our dentist will assess your suitability for teeth whitening treatment and provide you with more information on the types of whitening procedures, their duration and frequency of treatment.

What are the options available to me?

At Dental@TTSH, we offer take-home whitening kits. This allows for teeth whitening to be done in your homes, at your own convenience. Such kits are also gentler on your teeth. Teeth whitening would require at least two clinical visits. During your first visit, our dentist will take moulds of your teeth which are then used to create customised whitening trays. On the second visit, you will be given the trays and syringes of bleaching gel and taught the method for use. The home whitening process would require a few weeks to observe desired results.

The persistence of teeth whitening outcome depends on your lifestyle and dietary habits. Smoking or frequent consumption of coloured foods or drinks may cause your teeth to darken with time.

Fillings

A dental filling is a restoration in which restorative material is applied to the patient's tooth to repair damaged or decayed tooth structure. A filling can also be placed on tooth that is chipped or worn down to restore function and shape for better biting or chewing.

There are various types of dental fillings available. Depending on your needs and preferences, our dentists will recommend the most appropriate dental filling for you.