Frequently Asked Questions

Tooth sensitivity is a common problem that affects at least 50% of the population. To prevent tooth sensitivity, brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste. Using a fluoridated mouthwash, flossing daily, and avoiding highly acidic foods may also help in minimizing sensitivity. If you are currently bothered by sensitive teeth, visit your dentist. He or she can identify the cause of your tooth pain and recommend specific treatments to provide relief.

Flossing is essential to your gum and tooth health. Regular use of dental floss is important for plaque removal, maintaining healthy gums, and preventing gum disease. By removing food particles and bacteria that build up between teeth, flossing helps keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life.

A lot of people have sensitive teeth. And just because you may have some sensitivity, especially with hot or cold food and drinks, doesn’t necessarily mean you need a root canal. However, those who do need a root canal have a sensitivity that doesn’t go away once the hot or cold element is removed.

While dental X-rays do involve radiation, the exposure levels are so low that they’re considered safe even for children and adults. At Dental Expert Clinic, we use digital X-rays instead of developing them on traditional films. Your risks from radiation exposure are thus exponentially lower. Your safety is most important to us.

X-rays help the dentist examine areas not always visible to the naked eye, such as the teeth’ space, bone around teeth. They also allow the dentist to locate areas of decay and check bone levels surrounding the teeth. X-rays are not required for each visit.

As long as you have teeth in your mouth, you are susceptible to decay (cavities). From young babies to the elderly, we are all vulnerable to decay and you should visit Dental Expert and hygienist regularly as well as practice good oral hygiene at home.

There is no set time for recovery as every patient reacts differently, but for 24 hours after taking the medication you should not drive or operate any heavy machinery. Patients are encouraged to rest out, sleep and take plenty of water and clear fluids for the rest of the day.

At the initial consultation, Dr. Denzil Albuquerque at Dental Expert Clinic, will make a detailed evaluation using photographs and x-rays as necessary. The data will determine whether cause of trouble, and a treatment plan is formulated  and sequenced. The treatment options and schedule along with the fees are discussed.

Tooth decay (cavity) treatment depends on the decay size and depth. Tooth coloured composite fillings are the most common option, are done in a single visit and also economical. For wider decay, the tooth may need to be repaired using an inlay or onlay procedure or with a more extensive treatment, such as a crown. Porcelain (ceramic) are particularly favoured here, for both their strength and aesthetics. Silver fillings are no longer done.

A tooth cavity refers to softening due to decay of the originally hard tooth structures. Cavities appear as black-brown discolouration’s or hollowed out areas in teeth.

Tooth cavity treatment depends on the decay size and depth. Tooth coloured composite fillings are the most common option for smaller cavities. For wider decay, the tooth may need to be repaired using partial or complete crowns. Porcelain (ceramic) are particularly favoured for crowns, for both their strength and aesthetics.

Most people fear root canal treatment because of the false perception that it will be painful. The reality is that root canals are never painful as a local anaesthetic is used to put the tooth to sleep. It is usual to experience some level of discomfort after the procedure and is easily controlled with routine pain killers. Remember that you are more likely to hear about negative experiences from friends and family, but rarely when a treatment is pain free. Therefore always seek unbiased information and advice when investigating your treatment options.

The main reasons why your teeth slowly turn from white to yellow are the types of foods and drinks that you have that can stain them directly. The worst offenders for doing this are strong black and coffee, also red wines and a strong curry or turmeric from dal’s can also cause staining.

Teeth whitening can be done at the chair side in one visit of about an hour.

Root canals, fillings and clean ups are done in a single visit.

A cosmetic smile can be designed and fitted within 2-3 visits.

Implant dentistry takes longer. There are different options available depending on your specific case. Implants can be fitted in a single day, if that would be the appropriate solution for you. We will give you professional advice and recommend what’s best for you. For complex cases, multiple visits are required to ensure each stage is successfully completed before we move to the next stage.

If we recommend orthodontic treatment (braces), then the treatment time can be on average 1-2 years.

The whitening gel used by at Dental Expert, is a well-tested product from a top quality manufacturer, and is US FDA and EU approved. A lot of clinical trials have shown that our product is safe and effective in whitening your teeth when used by our specially trained dentists. Those bought over the counter are less well-controlled, and without supervision by a cosmetic dentist, their result can be unpredictable and even damaging. The most damaging to teeth are caused by regular use of whitening toothpastes that wear off the surface of the tooth.

Getting a crown done is not at all a painful experience; thanks to the use of anaesthetic and comforting techniques. The benefits of getting a crown far outweigh any temporary discomfort.

Toothache and sensitivity can be temporarily controlled with over the counter pain killers like Brufen or Crocin. If pain is persisting or recurs, it is best to schedule an emergency dental appointment with us at Dental Expert, as the tooth may need to be treated on a priority basis.

The cost of common dental procedures can vary widely depending on several factors, including your location, the specific procedure, the dentist’s experience, and whether you have dental insurance. Check out our blog on cost of common dental procedure for details.

Well fabricated crowns usually last between 7-10 years. Although they would require bi-annual professional dental clean ups and regular flossing. Some wear and tear can be expected over time with crowns, as with natural teeth as well.