City dental clinic Byo

17/06/2026

Today... scaling and polishing

09/06/2026

Orthodontic braces are highly versatile tools engineered to treat a complex spectrum of dental alignment issues, collectively known as malocclusions. Beyond addressing visible irregularities like crowding, rotations, and excessive spacing, braces systematically correct three-dimensional bite discrepancies. These include open bites, where opposing teeth do not meet, and crossbites, which occur when upper teeth sit inside lower teeth. They also manage deep bites, overbites, and severe proclinations where front teeth flare outward. Furthermore, advanced orthodontic frameworks treat skeletal discrepancies, such as jaw mismatches and Class I, II, or III malocclusions, by guiding jaw growth and tooth positioning into an optimal structural relationship. Braces also play a critical role in interceptive therapy, creating space to guide impacted or unerupted teeth—most notably maxillary canines—into their correct positions within the dental arch.Leaving these malocclusions untreated can lead to long-term oral health complications that extend far beyond aesthetics. Severe misalignment often creates hard-to-reach plaque traps, drastically increasing your risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and localized bone loss. Improper bite distribution also causes uneven tooth wear, chronic jaw joint (TMJ) pain, headaches, and difficulties with clear speech or efficient chewing. Because every smile presents a unique anatomical profile, a generic approach will not work. Visiting a qualified dentist or orthodontist is essential for a definitive diagnosis through digital X-rays, 3D imaging, and clinical bite analysis. A dental professional will design a personalized treatment plan using traditional brackets, ceramic braces, or clear aligners to safely restore both your oral function and your long-term health.

07/06/2026

Researchers in Japan have launched human trials for what could become the world’s first tooth-regrowing drug, a breakthrough that may transform dentistry if proven safe and effective. The experimental treatment is being developed by scientists at Kyoto University Hospital in collaboration with Toregem BioPharma and focuses on activating the body’s natural ability to grow new teeth.

The drug targets a protein called USAG-1, which normally suppresses tooth development. Scientists discovered that blocking this protein may allow dormant tooth-forming mechanisms to activate, potentially enabling the growth of entirely new teeth rather than relying on artificial replacements such as implants, bridges, or dentures.

Humans naturally develop two sets of teeth during their lifetime, but researchers believe some people may retain inactive tooth buds that never fully develop. By influencing the biological pathways that control tooth formation, scientists hope the treatment can stimulate the emergence of new teeth in patients who are missing them due to congenital conditions or tooth loss.

Early animal studies produced promising results, with researchers successfully triggering the growth of new teeth in laboratory models. Those findings generated worldwide interest because tooth regeneration has long been considered one of the biggest challenges in regenerative medicine and dental science.

The treatment remains experimental and is currently undergoing human testing to evaluate safety, effectiveness, and long-term outcomes. If future trials are successful, experts say it could fundamentally change how dentists treat missing teeth and open the door to entirely new regenerative therapies.

Source

Kyoto University Hospital, Toregem BioPharma, and published research on USAG-1 inhibition and tooth regeneration.

Disclaimer

This post is for awareness only and not medical advice. The treatment remains experimental and is not currently approved for public use outside clinical research studies.

04/06/2026

Orthodontic treatment goes far beyond cosmetic enhancement; it is a vital healthcare intervention that rectifies structural imbalances to preserve long-term oral functionality. When braces or modern alternative systems like clear aligners realign crowded, rotated, or spaced teeth, they eliminate tight food traps and hard-to-reach areas. This significantly reduces the risk of dental caries, plaque buildup, and aggressive periodontal diseases. Furthermore, resolving complex bite configurations—such as open bites, deep bites, crossbites, and severe overjets—directly redistributes chewing forces evenly across the dental arches. This even distribution protects individual teeth from localized, premature wear, fractures, and enamel degradation while alleviating the chronic jaw muscle strain, tension headaches, and popping sounds frequently linked to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.Managing severe skeletal discrepancies and impacted dentition requires precision-engineered appliances tailored to the patient's unique developmental stage.

For growing children and adolescents with Class II or Class III malocclusions, a certified orthodontist can employ growth modification devices alongside standard braces to actively sculpt the expanding jawbone into harmonious alignment. In adults whose bone structures are fully fixed, correcting deep jaw mismatches may combine fixed brackets with surgical orthodontics (orthognathic surgery) or temporary anchorage devices (TADs) to move bone structures predictably. Similarly, guiding an unerupted, impacted tooth—especially a crucial maxillary canine—back into its proper position involves surgical exposure paired with specialized orthodontic traction to prevent root damage to adjacent healthy teeth. Because a bad bite involves intricate bone, muscle, and tooth interactions, scheduling an in-person clinical exam with digital radiographs remains the mandatory first step to achieving a stable, fully functional smile.

04/06/2026

Fixed vs. Removable Retainers
Make sure you use your retainer effectively to avoid relapse of malocclussion.

If you struggle with the compliance of removable retainers, speak to your orthodontist in the Bulawayo area about a fixed (bonded) retainer. These are thin metal wires glued to the back of the front teeth to hold them in position 24/7 without requiring daily removal.

To prevent orthodontic relapse, retainers must be worn full-time for the first 3 to 6 months, and then every night indefinitely. Teeth have "memory" and naturally shift throughout your life; without indefinite wear, over 70% of patients experience significant relapse within 10 to 20 years.

03/06/2026

Studies prove that children who continued thumb sucking or pacifier use for longer periods were significantly more likely to develop anterior open bite.

A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Oral Health analyzed data from 33 studies and found a clear association between prolonged non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite—a condition in which the upper and lower front teeth do not properly meet when the mouth is closed.

Researchers also found that the longer these habits persisted, the greater the risk became. Daily pacifier use showed one of the strongest associations with open bite development.

Thumb sucking and pacifier use are common during early childhood and are often normal developmental behaviors. However, when these habits continue for extended periods, they may gradually influence the way the teeth and jaws develop.

Source: Wang Y, et al. Association between non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health. 2025.

03/06/2026

Bridge ...today

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

A headache isn’t always coming from your head.
Sometimes, the source is your tooth.

The trigeminal nerve supplies sensation to your teeth, jaw, face, and parts of the head. When a tooth becomes inflamed or infected, pain signals travel along this shared pathway—so the brain can misinterpret the source of pain.

This is called referred pain.

It’s why a dental problem can feel like pain in the temple, ear, eye, or one side of the head—often on the same side.

Common dental causes include:
• Deep cavities reaching the pulp
• Tooth infection or abscess
• Teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
• Impacted wisdom teeth

A key clue:
If your headache is one-sided and worsens with chewing, the source may be dental.

Ignoring it doesn’t just prolong the pain—it allows the underlying problem to progress.

Treat the source, not just the symptom.

26/05/2026

Braces correcting impacted canine