Services

General Dentistry

It is the restorative Dentistry that consists of many things including decay prevention, tooth repair, gum care, root canal therapy, tooth-saving techniques and the bite.


1) Dental SPA:

We go out of our way to pamper our patients with the most relaxing dental care experience possible. We are proud that patients travel from around the world to experience our dental practice within a spa-like atmosphere and amenities in Beirut.

2) Preventive dentistry:

In StarZ’ Dental Clinic we believe in prevention and early treatment of disease. Preventive care includes the following:
a) Routine exam and Teeth cleaning (also known as prophylaxis) our dentists strongly recommend a dental cleaning every six months. A professional dental cleaning at least twice a year can improve your oral health, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). This act will reinforce the oral health regimen of brushing and flossing and gives the dentist an opportunity to locate areas in the mouth that may need special attention.
b) Dental sealants: Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are usually placed in the grooves (fissures) on the chewing (occlusal) surface of the permanent posterior teeth to help protect them from caries. As plaque accumulates in the deep grooves that are difficult to clean, dental sealants provide extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas by providing a smooth surface covering over the fissured area. The technique to apply the sealant is a simple procedure. Children, adolescents and adults are candidates to dental sealants. Sealants last for many years but also depend on the types of food eaten: harder and crunchier food can make them last a shorter time. They need to be checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental check-ups. Your dentist can replace sealants as necessary.
c) Fluoride: it is another way to help prevent cavities by strengthening the tooth enamel and making it more resistant to bacteria and acids. Fluoride helps establish long-term dental health.

Who benefit from fluoride treatment:
-Children and adolescents especially the ones undergoing orthodontic treatment (braces).
-Adults who have any of the following conditions:
* Sensitive teeth.
*Moderate to high risk patients for developing decay
* Naked roots.
*People with dry mouth (Xerostomia).
*People undergoing radiation for cancer in the head or neck: Radiation can damage the glands in our mouth that produce saliva.

Fluoride treatment and Administration:
-Toothpaste enriched with fluoride.
-Mouth rinse containing fluoride.
-Gel or foam applied at the dental office.
-Varnish applied at the dental office.
-Dietary supplements.
-Water fluoridation.

We should be aware that excess of fluoride could lead to a condition called fluorosis and could lead to other gum and soft tissue problems inside the mouth.

d) Microdentistry: it is a new, alternative way to treat decay in teeth. It just makes good sense to treat small cavities early with conservative micro-dentistry than to wait for conditions to get worse. The idea behind this technology is to remove as little of the natural tooth as possible while removing all of the decay.
e) Oral cancer screening: Oral Cancer can affect the lip, the oral cavity and the oropharynx. It is the sixth most common malignancy in the world. An early detection of the lesions (that are likely to progress) will prevent progression.

According to the oral cancer foundation, any person with a history of tobacco and alcohol use or prior head and neck malignancy has a significant risk of developing oral cancer. In fact, historically 75% of these cancers are related to alcohol and tobacco use. Viral infections such as HPV16 (Human Papilloma Virus). The risk is higher when people drink alcohol while smoking a cigar or a cigarette. Studies confirm that survival does correlate with stage, making early diagnosis and treatment optimal for this disease.

At StarZ’ Denal Clinic we provide in house Oral cancer test. This procedure is fast, painless and inexpensive.

Standard screening test:
-Conventional oral examination (COE).
-Oral cytology.
-Light-based and chemical based detection systems.



f) Home care: A proper home care includes all of the following:
* Diet- Any food that sticks to the teeth especially in the grooves and fissures or food trapped between the teeth can be harmful (example: caramel, jellybeans and licorice). The less likely the food is to dissolve or rinse away, the longer the acid attack will be. Chocolate which is full of sugar, could be less harmful than dried fruits and nuts, as it dissolves quickly. Acidic food (lemon) and some soft drinks are also harmful to the teeth. We recommend that after eating or drinking any acidic product, to rinse the mouth with water, in case brush immediately wasn’t an option.
* Brushing- it is recommended to brush at least twice a day (morning after breakfast, and evening before sleeping, so no debris are left in the mouth at night), with a soft-bristled brush or an electric toothbrush.
* Flossing- Daily flossing is an important part of your oral health care routine to help remove the plaque from these areas where a toothbrush doesn’t completely reach. Types of dental floss include: waxed, unwaxed, spongy floss or dental tape. Spongy floss or super floss is used under the bridges. Flossing in addition to brushing can reduce gingivitis and bad breath compared to tooth brushing alone.
* Tongue cleaning- we do it with a tongue scraper or tongue brush. The surface of the tongue may be viewed as an excellent place for different bacteria to multiply. Clinical studies have shown that using tongue cleaners on a daily basis has a significant effect on decreasing oral malodor. A majority of cases of halitosis originate on the back of the tongue.
* Mouth rinse or mouthwash- are used for a variety of reasons: to freshen breath, help prevent or control tooth decay, reduce plaque (a thin film of bacteria that forms on teeth), prevent or reduce gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease), reduce the speed that tartar (hardened plaque) forms on the teeth, or to produce a combination of these effects.
The mouthwash efficiency depends on the main ingredient it contains: Antimicrobial agent, Fluoride, astringent salts (for odor) etc.

3) Endodontics or root canal treatment:

Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal or endodontic therapy) is made necessary when an untreated cavity reaches all the way to the pulp. Inside each tooth is the pulp, which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth. When the pulp is diseased or injured, it will die. If we don’t remove it, the tooth gets infected, which leads to an abscess. Treatment may also be needed when deep restorations or trauma to a tooth cause nerve damage. Symptoms that indicate the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. However, sometimes no symptoms are apparent and you may be unaware of any problem until dental checkup.

After the dentist removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger.

Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile!!!

At Starz’ Dental Clinic we have a very competent specialist, Dr. Amale Melhem, who graduated from Saint Joseph University and has been in practice for many years.

4) Orthodontics (Braces):

Orthodontic treatment is a way of straightening or moving teeth into a better position, to improve the appearance of the teeth and how they work. It can also help in the long-term health of the teeth, gums and jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure over all the teeth. Orthodontic treatment is generally best carried out in children, but recently more adults have been seeking orthodontic treatments as well.

Orthodontic treatment can be done by many sorts of appliances, either fixed, known as ‘braces' , or removable appliance , a plate that can be taken out to be cleaned, it has delicate wires and springs attached, which move the teeth using gentle pressure.

Fixed braces are not always made of metal. Plastic and ceramic can be used, especially for adults. They are more esthetic and barely show when the patient smiles.

It is important that orthodontic treatment would be done by a specialist who has extra qualifications. The specialist may be in a practice, as is the case at StarZ dental clinic. Dr Marianne Hage graduated from saint Joseph University and specialized in orthodontics from AUB, the American University of Beirut.

5) Pediatric Dentistry:

The latest ADA definition of pediatric dentistry is - "Pediatric Dentistry is an age-defined specialty that provides primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs."

It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that a dental visit should occur within six months after the presence of the first tooth or by a child's first birthday. The dentist will promote the dental health of children as well as serve as educational resources for parents. He can also do the preventive treatments necessary for the child to have healthy teeth, and he can fix the problems in baby teeth.

Remember baby teeth are there for a reason. They give the child something to chew with and (importantly) they often save space for the permanent teeth. If we don’t take care of the baby teeth, child will have ugly teeth, toothaches, infection and more extensive dental work. If your child develops a cavity in a baby tooth the decay will slowly (and sometimes rapidly) get bigger and deeper. If the tooth is really close to falling out, we have the option of just leaving it alone. If it looks like it may be a while till it would normally fall out, we need to do something.

6) Periodontics:

-Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.
-Periodontitis
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

There are many forms of periodontitis. The most common ones include the following.
-Aggressive periodontitis occurs in patients who are otherwise clinically healthy. Common features include rapid attachment loss and bone destruction and familial aggregation.
-Chronic periodontitis results in inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth, progressive attachment and bone loss. This is the most frequently occurring form of periodontitis and is characterized by pocket formation and/or recession of the gingiva. It is prevalent in adults, but can occur at any age. Progression of attachment loss usually occurs slowly, but periods of rapid progression can occur.
-Periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic diseases often begins at a young age. Systemic conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes are associated with this form of periodontitis.
-Necrotizing periodontal disease is an infection characterized by necrosis of gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. These lesions are most commonly observed in individuals with systemic conditions such as HIV infection, malnutrition and immunosuppression.

- Periodontal Splinting (weak teeth) : It is a procedure commonly performed on front loose teeth.
Teeth become loose because of lost gum tissue, injury, orthodontic treatment, or pressure. The technique attaches weak teeth together, which turns them into a single unit that is stable and stronger than the single teeth by themselves. This is a simple procedure that is popular due to its effectiveness.

Prevention and Treatment of Gum Disease :

Proper dental hygiene can go a long way toward preventing gum disease. Most of us know the basics:
-Brush your teeth at least twice a day, for two minutes.
-Floss every day.
Use an antibacterial mouth rinse for more protection from plaque and to improve gingivitis.
-Smoking increases the danger of gum disease by damaging gum tissue and increasing inflammation. If you smoke, preventing gum disease is one more very good reason to try to quit.

7) Full Mouth rehabilitation:

Also called full mouth reconstruction . When we have multiple problems in the mouth, as worn teeth, broken or missing teeth, as well as other problems like gum , bone and bite problems, then a full mouth reconstruction is required. Treatment will include several levels of oral therapy, it requires a combination of restorations as inlays, onlays, dental implants , dental bridges and gum therapy .

There is perhaps no more fulfilling task for us than undertaking dental full mouth reconstruction . The new restored smile of a person, will also improve their life and their emotional outlook. Dental full mouth reconstruction can give you the perfect teeth and smile that together we can keep for life.

The key to a successful full mouth rehabilitation is a good treatment plan that includes the following :
-Examination of the teeth,bone,muscles and jaw joint (TMJ). Examination is achieved with the help of a Panoramic X-ray, and other digital radiographies and sometimes the dental scan (CBCT). We also need to take preliminary impressions to have a study model, and bite records.
-Computer aided smile design : A full mouth rehabilitation fixes not only the function of the teeth but also the look. It needs an experienced cosmetic dentist and other specialists to accomplish the perfect combination of function and form.
-Temporories : Temporary teeth are placed in mouth after all teeth are prepared. At this stage of work, we can decide with the help of the dentist, patient and lab technician about the final details of the esthetics, as form and color. Temporaries also help the patient get used to the new bite and make sure it doesn’t bother him.
-Fitting the final teeth : as planned and with the help of our master ceramist, we try and cement the final restorations after checking the color, the anatomy, the bite and all the details.

8) Dental Emergencies:

Sometimes we can have a toothache that strike out of nowhere. It seems like there is nothing that we can do to stop the pain, so a trip to the dentist seems absolutely necessary. We're always on call for our current patients. If you're in doubt about whether or not you needs an emergency dental appointment, it's always best to call us and ask.

What Constitutes as a Dental Emergency?
-Toothaches.
-A broken teeth or loose fillings.
-Knocked out or missing permanent teeth.
-Bleeding and painful gums.
-Broken crowns or Dentures.
-Orthodontic emergencies.

9) Dental Implants:

Nowadays we have many more options for replacing lost or damaged teeth than we did even ten years ago. Among the most popular permanent solutions for tooth replacement are dental implants. A dental implant is a metal (super-strong titanium) root that is placed into a jawbone to provide permanent support for a crown, fixed bridge, or denture when the bone itself would provide insufficient support. Titanium is the unique metal that is compatible with bone and it actually fuses with bone to form a permanent root. New bone is allowed to grow around and fuse with the anchor for up to 6 months before the crown, bridge, or denture is attached. Dental implant surgery should be performed only by a highly trained specialist in surgery and in Implants. Dental implant success is related to operator skill, quality and quantity of the bone available at the site, and the patient's oral hygiene. Implants success rate is around 75%.

Failure of a dental implant is often related to the failure of the implant to osseointegrate correctly with the bone, or vice-versa. Dental implants are not susceptible to dental caries but they can develop a condition called peri-implantitis. This is an inflammatory condition of the mucosa and/or bone around the implant which may result in bone loss and eventual loss of the implant.

There are few absolute contraindications to implant dentistry. Candidates for dental implants need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. A thorough evaluation by your dentist will help determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants. General health conditions might also be a contraindication to do this procedure.

a) Implant supported crowns :

Implants have been used successfully for over 30 years and have a high success rate, and function and feel like your natural teeth. We may recommend a single tooth implant procedure if a tooth has been extracted or is missing. We allow a period of time for the jawbone to heal over the tooth implant base before fitting for a crown. Finally a custom fabricated crown is placed over the tooth implant abutment to function like a real tooth. The challenge is to replace your missing teeth for both appearance and function without harming your remaining teeth or gum tissue. Dental implants could be the ideal choice for you if you have lost a tooth due to any reason as gum and bone disease or an injury. Dental implants can look and feel very natural .

Because they last long and they can help protect the surrounding teeth by not relying on them for support, dental implants have become the solution for many patients all over the planet.

Dental Implant Treatment Steps:
-The first step is the placement of titanium implants to replace lost teeth. They will remain covered for approximately 3 to 6 months , the implants should fuse to the bone.
-The second step involves uncovering the implants and attaching a post or abutment to each implant. This completes the foundation on which your teeth will be placed. Sometimes, the surgeon may decide to place the posts at the time of surgery.
-The final step is the placement of your new teeth by your dentist. With techniques that ensure optimal size, shape, color and fit, your replacement teeth should blend with your remaining natural teeth.

b) Dentures Stabilized by Dental Implants :

In addition to the use of dental implants for replacing single or multiple missing or damaged teeth, they can also be used to anchor full or partial removable dentures. This provides much greater retention and security than traditional techniques if you have had dentures that never fit right. Or you are just tired of having to take care of them and replace them every few years. Having dentures anchored directly to the jawbone provides functional, health-related, and aesthetic benefits. The dentures stay securely in place, so patients can laugh, speak, and eat without having to worry about their dentures shifting out of place. Patients with implant-supported dentures tend to enjoy greater freedom in their everyday activities, as well as enhanced oral health.

Receiving implant-supported dentures requires few visits to our office , one for dental implants placement, and few others for dentures placement.