De Villa - Alipis Dental Clinic

13/09/2026

1. Metal braces

* Brackets are bonded to the teeth and connected with archwires.
* They gradually move teeth into their planned positions.
* Treatment commonly takes around 18–24 months, although it varies considerably.

2. Braces removal

* Once the teeth are properly aligned and the bite is acceptable, the braces are removed.
* The teeth are still susceptible to moving because the surrounding bone and tissues need time to adapt.

3. Hawley retainer
A Hawley retainer is a removable appliance consisting mainly of:

* Acrylic plate that sits against the palate (upper) or behind the lower teeth.
* Labial bow/wire that runs across the front of the teeth.
* Clasps that help hold the retainer in place.

28/08/2026

28/06/2026

A riding pontic is a temporary artificial tooth used during braces treatment to fill gaps in your smile. It attaches directly to your orthodontic archwire and sits in the empty space, preserving the gap's exact width for a permanent replacement (like an implant) later.
While wearing a riding pontic can instantly boost your confidence, it does require some extra care to avoid issues like accidental dislodging or gum irritation.

28/06/2026

A frenectomy is a minor surgical procedure to remove or modify the frenum (a band of tissue connecting your lip to your gum). It is often done in conjunction with orthodontic debonding (braces removal) to close a gap between the front teeth (diastema) and prevent it from reopening after your braces are off.

10/05/2026

Most cavities don’t start with pain.
That’s what makes them dangerous.

A cavity can quietly grow inside a tooth for months while you feel completely normal. In the early stage, decay only affects enamel — the outer layer of the tooth that has no nerves. So even while acid is slowly damaging the tooth, there may be no warning signs at all.

Pain usually starts much later, when the cavity reaches deeper layers closer to the nerve. That’s why many people suddenly develop severe toothaches “out of nowhere.” In reality, the decay was already advanced long before the pain appeared.

Some cavities are especially hard to notice because they form between teeth, under old fillings, or in areas you can’t easily see. Even without pain, signs like sensitivity, food getting stuck repeatedly, dark spots, bad breath, or a rough feeling on a tooth may signal hidden decay.

One of the biggest myths in dentistry is that “if it doesn’t hurt, it’s fine.” Unfortunately, by the time a cavity becomes painful, treatment is often more complicated. Early checkups and X-rays can detect cavities before they turn into infections, root canals, or tooth loss.