Dental Specialties

General dentistry in Singapore

Definition: This focuses on preventive care, routine check-ups, and common treatments to maintain oral health and address dental issues. Routine dental check-ups are essential to monitor oral health and detect issues early. During these visits, the dentist will examine the teeth, gums, and mouth in order to look for signs of decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems.

Treatments: Common treatments include fillings for cavities, dental crowns for damaged teeth, dental bridges and dental implants for replacing missing teeth. On the other hand, tooth extractions may be performed for severely decayed or impacted teeth, while root canal treatment addresses infected pulp.

Orthodontics

Definition: This focuses on aligning teeth and jaws to improve both aesthetics and function. The primary treatments include traditional braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontic appliances.

Treatments:

• Traditional braces include metal brackets bonded to the teeth that are connected by wires. It applies gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into the desired position. Traditional braces are highly effective for correcting complex alignment issues.
• Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. These aligners are custom-made for each patient and are virtually invisible when worn. Invisalign is popular for its aesthetic appeal and convenience, as the aligners can be removed for eating and cleaning.
• Other orthodontic treatments may include lingual braces which are placed on the inner teeth surface. Ceramic braces, on the other hand, are less noticeable due to its tooth-coloured material. Retainers are often used post-treatment to maintain teeth position.

Periodontics

Definition: This focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease and the supporting structures of the teeth.

Treatments:

• Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical deep cleaning procedure performed by a periodontist to treat gum disease. Using specialized dental instruments, the periodontist carefully scales away plaque deposits from the tooth surfaces. After scaling, the same instruments are used to plane or smooth the root surfaces of the teeth. This process removes any remaining plaque, as well as toxins from the root surfaces.
• Laser therapy targets and removes diseased gum tissue, bacteria, and tartar below the gumline. This helps in reducing pocket depths and promoting gum tissue reattachment.
• Periodontal surgery treats advanced gum disease.
  1. Flap surgery lifts gums to remove tartar and reduce pocket depth, aiding better cleaning and preventing damage.
  2. Bone grafting restores bone structure for dental implants, while soft tissue grafting covers exposed roots, reducing sensitivity and improving gum appearance.

Endodontics

Definition: This involves diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases and injuries of the dental pulp and tissues around tooth roots. Endodontists are trained to treat traumatic dental injuries, such as teeth that have been knocked out or dislodged.

Treatments:

• Root canal treatment (RCT) is the main endodontic procedure, involving the removal of infected dental pulp, cleaning and shaping the root canals, and filling them to seal the tooth and prevent reinfection.
• Endodontic retreatment is necessary when a previously treated tooth becomes re-infected or fails to heal properly. This procedure involves reopening the tooth, removing the previous filling material, cleaning the canals, and then filling them again.
• Endodontic surgery, including procedures like apicoectomy or root resection, is employed when traditional root canal treatment proves impractical or unsuccessful, allowing for direct treatment of the tooth root.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Definition: This focuses on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects of the face, jaw, and mouth to enhance the tooth function, appearance, and quality of life.

Treatments:

• Bone grafting augments or regenerates jawbone, often needed to support dental implants or repair bone defects from trauma, infection, or developmental issues.
• Orthognathic surgery corrects jaw deformities affecting bite, chewing, and facial aesthetics. It repositions the upper (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both for improved facial balance and function.

Prosthodontics

Definition: Prosthodontics is a specialised field of dentistry focused on the restoration and replacement of damaged or missing teeth. Prosthodontists are highly trained dental specialists who design, fabricate, and fit dental prostheses (artificial teeth) to improve oral function, aesthetics, and overall quality of life for patients.

Treatments:

• Dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth. They can be complete (replacing all teeth) or partial (replacing some teeth).
• Dental bridges are fixed devices used to replace missing teeth, there are 2 types (conventional and resin-bonded). They are attached to nearby natural teeth or dental implants, filling the gap caused by the missing teeth.
• Dental crowns restore damaged teeth by covering them, improving their strength, size, and appearance. They are also used to cover dental implants.
• Dental implants are titanium posts placed into the jawbone as artificial tooth roots, providing a strong foundation for replacement teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Definition: Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person's teeth, gums, and smile. While it primarily focuses on aesthetics, cosmetic dental procedures can also enhance oral function and overall dental health.

Treatments: There are several aesthetic dental treatments in Singapore which will be elaborated below.

• Teeth Whitening to lighten teeth and remove stains and discoloration. It can be done in-office by a dentist or at home using custom-made trays and whitening gel.
• Dental veneers are bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. They can enhance teeth that are discoloured, worn, chipped, or misaligned.
• Dental bonding uses a tooth-colored composite resin material to repair teeth that are decayed, chipped, fractured, or discolored. It can also be used to fill in gaps between teeth (diastema closure) and reshape teeth for a more uniform appearance.
• Gum contouring is also known as gum reshaping or tissue sculpting, this procedure is used to reshape uneven gum lines to improve the appearance of the smile. It can correct excessive gum tissue (gummy smile) or uneven gum levels around the teeth.

Understanding different dental specialties is crucial for comprehensive dental care, as each specialty focuses on specific aspects of oral health. Dentists with specialised training and expertise can provide advanced treatments and procedures, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients.

When accessing specialised dental services in Singapore, individuals should understand their specific dental needs, seek referrals from general dentists, friends, or family, and research specialists' qualifications, certifications, and patient reviews. It is also important to consider the cost and insurance coverage, as well as evaluating the clinic's facilities and location for convenience. Scheduling a consultation to discuss treatment options and choosing a specialist who communicates effectively are the key steps in accessing the right dental care.