Teeth Experiences …Two

 

After my unfavourable ‘impressions’ expressed in my last post, I am happy to convey relevant developments in technology. King Dental announced last spring:

Uncomfortable impressions that leave patients gagging are no longer the standard. The iTero scanner replaces the physical putty and tray. Now dentists can use a handheld wand to capture thousands of images and render them into a 3D representation. Additionally, they can send these files straight to technician labs electronically, eliminating the need for physical molds altogether. The iTero’s high-tech imaging dental technology provides detailed and accurate scans, enhancing the precision of dental impressions. This precision is crucial for crafting tailored treatment plans and well-fitting restorations.

                                                 

So those of you who may soon need to have impressions taken have missed out on those gagging experiences ……  by the skin of your teeth!! :o And the description of the scanner is very apt – a wand. It sounds as if what it’s capable of achieving is nothing short of magic!

My latest adventure follows on from noticing that my long-term shaky teeth had become a bit shakier and were beginning to affect my bite.  So, off to my peridontician.  I stressed that I really didn’t want to undergo any more implants – I probably don’t have the required bone density, anyway.

I did say I had considered bringing him some wire and string to see if he could rig up some stabilizing system. To which he replied not to laugh but that he had a colleague who had achieved considerable success gluing teeth together!!

So, in January I had the treatment done. Both the orthodontist and periodontician - I feel so looked after - decided to go the conservative route in dealing with loose tooth syndrome and the former performed tooth bonding -ie .... he glued them together!! That sounds very simplistic but it was a complicated procedure that lasted a jaw dropping, literally , 75 minutes.

                                                

My teeth were firstly descaled – ie cleaned to remove any plaque or tartar which could impede the bonding. Then the surface is roughened by an acidic preparation to make it porous enough to accept the application of a bonding agent - I like to think mine was called James!

This was smoothed and dried by a special UV light instrument then a further layer of a dental cement containing strengthening fibres was set down.                                                        

At each stage both dentist and patient take a welcome breather for the materials applied to properly set. Then the final layer was added – it could be a resin epoxy, silica or even a plastic/glass mix. Whatever it was, the new veneer doesn’t irritate the tongue at all and feels very comfortable. This was thanks to the meticulous care the dentist took to mould and smooth at each level. Being set behind my teeth the work is non-detectable.

 I feel very privileged to have had access to high technology and the skilled specialist hands of two talented, caring professionals. I like my food – it was my impaired bite that took me for treatment. And though I have confidence in them and their art, do excuse the word play when I say I am now appreciative but - eating rather gingerly!