EXPERT
Chun-I Lee
Dentist
Dr. Chun-I Lee is a Dentist practicing in Cape Town, Western Cape. Dr. Lee specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
Chun-I Lee
- Cape Town, Western Cape
- University of Cape Town
- Accepting new patients
No results found
Can my abscess go away on its own?
Good day,
It might go away if you take antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. However, medication will just remove the symptoms (swollen and pain) but it doesn't remove the cause. READ MORE
Good day,
It might go away if you take antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. However, medication will just remove the symptoms (swollen and pain) but it doesn't remove the cause. Therefore, even though the swelling has subsided after taking medication, it can come back. My advice is go visit your dentist and have a proper consultation and treatment for the abscess.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
It might go away if you take antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. However, medication will just remove the symptoms (swollen and pain) but it doesn't remove the cause. Therefore, even though the swelling has subsided after taking medication, it can come back. My advice is go visit your dentist and have a proper consultation and treatment for the abscess.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
Does a wisdom tooth need to be removed?
Good day,
It depends on the position of the tooth, if it erupt upward in a correct position, then it is fine to leave it. However, if it erupts at an angle (causing the impaction READ MORE
Good day,
It depends on the position of the tooth, if it erupt upward in a correct position, then it is fine to leave it. However, if it erupts at an angle (causing the impaction with front tooth), then my advice is to remove it. So, the best thing to do is to visit your dentist and have a proper check-up and consultation, then decide the treatment.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
It depends on the position of the tooth, if it erupt upward in a correct position, then it is fine to leave it. However, if it erupts at an angle (causing the impaction with front tooth), then my advice is to remove it. So, the best thing to do is to visit your dentist and have a proper check-up and consultation, then decide the treatment.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
What causes erosion of teeth?
Good day
Acidic food intake is the most common cause for erosion.
Kind Regards
Dr. Chun-I Lee
Acidic food intake is the most common cause for erosion.
Kind Regards
Dr. Chun-I Lee
Does a charcoal toothpaste really work?
Good day,
It will help in removing external stain, but not change the teeth’s own color. It will be better to do the teeth whitening treatment by the dentist if you want to READ MORE
Good day,
It will help in removing external stain, but not change the teeth’s own color. It will be better to do the teeth whitening treatment by the dentist if you want to get your teeth whiten.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
It will help in removing external stain, but not change the teeth’s own color. It will be better to do the teeth whitening treatment by the dentist if you want to get your teeth whiten.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
How long will a teeth whitening treatment last?
Good day,
It has various factors that can affect the result (e.g., smoking), but from my personal experience: I have done the treatment on myself, in 2007; my teeth have still READ MORE
Good day,
It has various factors that can affect the result (e.g., smoking), but from my personal experience: I have done the treatment on myself, in 2007; my teeth have still kept the same color ever since the day of treatment completion till now.
The result may vary from person to person. I advise you to go visit your dentist and have a chat with him/her so that you can have a better understanding of teeth whitening.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
It has various factors that can affect the result (e.g., smoking), but from my personal experience: I have done the treatment on myself, in 2007; my teeth have still kept the same color ever since the day of treatment completion till now.
The result may vary from person to person. I advise you to go visit your dentist and have a chat with him/her so that you can have a better understanding of teeth whitening.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
I have halitosis. Is there a permanent solution to help with this?
Good day,
There are many possible causes for halitosis, therefore the first step should be find out what is the cause (e.g., periodontal problem, food impaction, decayed teeth, READ MORE
Good day,
There are many possible causes for halitosis, therefore the first step should be find out what is the cause (e.g., periodontal problem, food impaction, decayed teeth, bacterial/fungal infection).
I advise you to visit a dentist to have a proper consultation, and then treat it accordingly.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
There are many possible causes for halitosis, therefore the first step should be find out what is the cause (e.g., periodontal problem, food impaction, decayed teeth, bacterial/fungal infection).
I advise you to visit a dentist to have a proper consultation, and then treat it accordingly.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
How can I get rid of teeth stains caused due to smoking?
Good day,
I advise you to visit a dentist or oral hygienist to have scaling and polishing done.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
I advise you to visit a dentist or oral hygienist to have scaling and polishing done.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
How long will I have to wait for my next session after first round of root canal?
Good day,
Ideally, the second visit should be within two weeks, however as long as you don't have any pain or discomfort, it should be fine. After the root canal treatment, READ MORE
Good day,
Ideally, the second visit should be within two weeks, however as long as you don't have any pain or discomfort, it should be fine. After the root canal treatment, you might feel a bit discomforts for a day or two, that's normal, but if the discomfort last for a week, you should contact your dentist to let him/her know.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
Ideally, the second visit should be within two weeks, however as long as you don't have any pain or discomfort, it should be fine. After the root canal treatment, you might feel a bit discomforts for a day or two, that's normal, but if the discomfort last for a week, you should contact your dentist to let him/her know.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
My son's teeth are discoloured. Why?
Good day
Discoloration you mean decay? Discoloration can be many things, it can be decayed, can be stain, can be own teeth color, can be non-vital tooth, can be fluorosis, etc.
1. READ MORE
Good day
Discoloration you mean decay? Discoloration can be many things, it can be decayed, can be stain, can be own teeth color, can be non-vital tooth, can be fluorosis, etc.
1. Tooth decay:
Tooth become brownish/black color due to surface/acid intake. Yes, juice can cause tooth decay, but the main reason for that to happen is long-term exposed to acidic environment.
After a sip of juice, our pH value of our mouth will drop, study shows that tooth decay process begin when pH value is below 5.5. However, our saliva will neutralize the acidity within time, so after 45min, pH value will come up again. Therefore the frequency of food intake is the key.
For example: if you drink a 2L coke now and finished it within 5 min, your mouth is only be acidic for a short while, then the chance of getting tooth decay is low. But if you have a sip now, 5min later another sip, 10min later another sip, and you finished the coke in 1 hour, your mouth is constantly in an acidic situation, the chance of getting tooth decay is very high.
2. Stain
Stain is something externally attached to the teeth, can be removed by going to a dentist or hygienist to do a dental cleaning
3. Own tooth color
Some people has more yellowish color than others, it’s genetic
4. Non-vital tooth
If the child had injury before (knocked/fall on the floor), the tooth might be injured, and the nerve of the tooth become non-vital, then the tooth will get darker and darker within time. Need to go to a dentist for treatment (it can cause infection and may affect the permanent tooth)
5. Fluorosis
Excess intake of fluoride can cause fluorosis. Tooth become either whitish spots or brownish color.
My advice to you is take your child to a dentist for a check up, get a proper diagnosis, and then have treatment if necessary.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
Discoloration you mean decay? Discoloration can be many things, it can be decayed, can be stain, can be own teeth color, can be non-vital tooth, can be fluorosis, etc.
1. Tooth decay:
Tooth become brownish/black color due to surface/acid intake. Yes, juice can cause tooth decay, but the main reason for that to happen is long-term exposed to acidic environment.
After a sip of juice, our pH value of our mouth will drop, study shows that tooth decay process begin when pH value is below 5.5. However, our saliva will neutralize the acidity within time, so after 45min, pH value will come up again. Therefore the frequency of food intake is the key.
For example: if you drink a 2L coke now and finished it within 5 min, your mouth is only be acidic for a short while, then the chance of getting tooth decay is low. But if you have a sip now, 5min later another sip, 10min later another sip, and you finished the coke in 1 hour, your mouth is constantly in an acidic situation, the chance of getting tooth decay is very high.
2. Stain
Stain is something externally attached to the teeth, can be removed by going to a dentist or hygienist to do a dental cleaning
3. Own tooth color
Some people has more yellowish color than others, it’s genetic
4. Non-vital tooth
If the child had injury before (knocked/fall on the floor), the tooth might be injured, and the nerve of the tooth become non-vital, then the tooth will get darker and darker within time. Need to go to a dentist for treatment (it can cause infection and may affect the permanent tooth)
5. Fluorosis
Excess intake of fluoride can cause fluorosis. Tooth become either whitish spots or brownish color.
My advice to you is take your child to a dentist for a check up, get a proper diagnosis, and then have treatment if necessary.
Kind regards,
Dr. Chun-I Lee
Can brushing my teeth with salt whiten my teeth?
Good day
I personally don’t think it will work, because the stain from smoking is not easy to come off just by brushing, but salt is not expensive anyway, so maybe you can give READ MORE
Good day
I personally don’t think it will work, because the stain from smoking is not easy to come off just by brushing, but salt is not expensive anyway, so maybe you can give it a try. I’ll advice you to visit a dentist to do a proper cleaning.
Kind regards
Dr Chun-I Lee
I personally don’t think it will work, because the stain from smoking is not easy to come off just by brushing, but salt is not expensive anyway, so maybe you can give it a try. I’ll advice you to visit a dentist to do a proper cleaning.
Kind regards
Dr Chun-I Lee
What is the treatment suggested for treating dental plaque and soreness in the gums?
Good day
I’ll advise you to go for a dental cleaning, we called it “scaling and polishing.”
Dental plaque builds up every day, but it can be easily removed by brushing properly, READ MORE
Good day
I’ll advise you to go for a dental cleaning, we called it “scaling and polishing.”
Dental plaque builds up every day, but it can be easily removed by brushing properly, thus one should brush teeth twice a day (ask your dentist for proper brushing instructions). When plaque builds up for a long time, it will calcify to be come dental stone, calculus, you won’t be able to brush it off once it forms calculus, you will have to go to a dentist or oral hygienist for scaling and polishing.
Scaling basically is using an ultra sonic instrument to breakdown the calculus with vibration and water. Many people scared of that due to the noise and sensitivity (you might feel a bit sensitive during the procedure), but if you don’t do it, your gum will never get better, because the cause of the inflammation is not removed (calculus), it will cause more problem such as gum recession, bone loss, mobile teeth, abscess, loss of teeth, etc.
After you done the scaling, the most important thing is the maintenance at home. As a health professional, we can only do so much, help people to get better, however, we also need patient’s input to look after yourself in order to have a successful treatment.
Wish you all of the best.
Kind regards
Dr. Chun-I Lee
I’ll advise you to go for a dental cleaning, we called it “scaling and polishing.”
Dental plaque builds up every day, but it can be easily removed by brushing properly, thus one should brush teeth twice a day (ask your dentist for proper brushing instructions). When plaque builds up for a long time, it will calcify to be come dental stone, calculus, you won’t be able to brush it off once it forms calculus, you will have to go to a dentist or oral hygienist for scaling and polishing.
Scaling basically is using an ultra sonic instrument to breakdown the calculus with vibration and water. Many people scared of that due to the noise and sensitivity (you might feel a bit sensitive during the procedure), but if you don’t do it, your gum will never get better, because the cause of the inflammation is not removed (calculus), it will cause more problem such as gum recession, bone loss, mobile teeth, abscess, loss of teeth, etc.
After you done the scaling, the most important thing is the maintenance at home. As a health professional, we can only do so much, help people to get better, however, we also need patient’s input to look after yourself in order to have a successful treatment.
Wish you all of the best.
Kind regards
Dr. Chun-I Lee
What could be the cause of my throbbing tooth pain?
Good day,
There are many possible causes, due to lack of information was given, I can’t really give an answer towards your question. However, most common two reasons of tooth READ MORE
Good day,
There are many possible causes, due to lack of information was given, I can’t really give an answer towards your question. However, most common two reasons of tooth ache are:
1. Tooth decay
2. Periodontitis
I advised you to seek a dentist and do a proper examination to find out the actual cause of the pain in order to have a proper treatment.
Kind regards
Dr. Chun-I Lee
There are many possible causes, due to lack of information was given, I can’t really give an answer towards your question. However, most common two reasons of tooth ache are:
1. Tooth decay
2. Periodontitis
I advised you to seek a dentist and do a proper examination to find out the actual cause of the pain in order to have a proper treatment.
Kind regards
Dr. Chun-I Lee
Abscessed tooth? What could this mean?
Good day,
Abscess basically is an infection. Most of the common causes are tooth decay and periodontal problem.
Tooth decay:
When the carious tooth is too deep into the READ MORE
Good day,
Abscess basically is an infection. Most of the common causes are tooth decay and periodontal problem.
Tooth decay:
When the carious tooth is too deep into the nerve, bacteria can goes in and cause the infection to form an abscess at the apex of the root.
Periodontitis:
Periodontal means the tissues surround the tooth, which is the gum and bone. The word “periodontitis” means the disease of the tissue surround the tooth. This condition is caused by poor oral hygiene, lots of plaque build up caused tissue destruction, bone loss, eventually leads to loose tooth and infection.
Signs, symptoms, and complications:
- pain or no pain at all (depends on severity)
- swelling of the face (one can feel there’s no problem with the tooth, but very next morning wake up with swollen face)
- mobile tooth
- bone loss
- affect surrounding teeth
- trismus (cannot open your mouth wide due to muscle infection)
The condition is reversible if treat early. I advice you to visit a dentist and have a proper consultation. Prevention is better than cure, therefore regular visit of dentist is very important (depends on the need, for some patients I advice every six months, for some patients at least once a year). Both above mentioned causes (tooth decay and periodontitis) can be easily prevented just by maintain good oral hygiene on the daily basis. I always tell my patients that spend more time to brush and floss the teeth, look after your oral hygiene, you will save lots of time and money from coming to dentist.
Kind regards,
Dr Chun-I Lee
Abscess basically is an infection. Most of the common causes are tooth decay and periodontal problem.
Tooth decay:
When the carious tooth is too deep into the nerve, bacteria can goes in and cause the infection to form an abscess at the apex of the root.
Periodontitis:
Periodontal means the tissues surround the tooth, which is the gum and bone. The word “periodontitis” means the disease of the tissue surround the tooth. This condition is caused by poor oral hygiene, lots of plaque build up caused tissue destruction, bone loss, eventually leads to loose tooth and infection.
Signs, symptoms, and complications:
- pain or no pain at all (depends on severity)
- swelling of the face (one can feel there’s no problem with the tooth, but very next morning wake up with swollen face)
- mobile tooth
- bone loss
- affect surrounding teeth
- trismus (cannot open your mouth wide due to muscle infection)
The condition is reversible if treat early. I advice you to visit a dentist and have a proper consultation. Prevention is better than cure, therefore regular visit of dentist is very important (depends on the need, for some patients I advice every six months, for some patients at least once a year). Both above mentioned causes (tooth decay and periodontitis) can be easily prevented just by maintain good oral hygiene on the daily basis. I always tell my patients that spend more time to brush and floss the teeth, look after your oral hygiene, you will save lots of time and money from coming to dentist.
Kind regards,
Dr Chun-I Lee
Is bleeding of gums dangerous for a diabetic patient?
Good day
Diabetic is a risk factor for gum disease, but it is NOT the cause of it. First, let's find out why is the gum bleeding? Because there's inflammation. Why is there READ MORE
Good day
Diabetic is a risk factor for gum disease, but it is NOT the cause of it. First, let's find out why is the gum bleeding? Because there's inflammation. Why is there inflammation? Because there are bacteria (plaque) present. Many people when they see their gum is bleeding when brushing, they will tend to avoid touching that area, this is not a correct concept. Bacteria will just build up more and more, the gum will always be inflamed, and the gum will never get better.
My advice is visit a dentist and get a proper cleaning done, and then make sure you brush properly at home (by properly, I mean brush one to two teeth at a time and move in a sequence so that you know you've covered ALL the surfaces of all the teeth.) You shouldn't feel any roughness with your tongue after you brush, the teeth should be very smooth.
The bleeding gum will get better within two weeks time, if you can improve the oral hygiene.
Kind regards
Dr Chun- I Lee
Diabetic is a risk factor for gum disease, but it is NOT the cause of it. First, let's find out why is the gum bleeding? Because there's inflammation. Why is there inflammation? Because there are bacteria (plaque) present. Many people when they see their gum is bleeding when brushing, they will tend to avoid touching that area, this is not a correct concept. Bacteria will just build up more and more, the gum will always be inflamed, and the gum will never get better.
My advice is visit a dentist and get a proper cleaning done, and then make sure you brush properly at home (by properly, I mean brush one to two teeth at a time and move in a sequence so that you know you've covered ALL the surfaces of all the teeth.) You shouldn't feel any roughness with your tongue after you brush, the teeth should be very smooth.
The bleeding gum will get better within two weeks time, if you can improve the oral hygiene.
Kind regards
Dr Chun- I Lee
I am a diabetic and my gums have been bleeding. Is there something to be concerned about?
Good day
Diabetic is a risk factor for gum disease, but it is NOT the cause of it. First let's find out why is the gum bleeding? Because there's inflammation. Why is there inflammation? READ MORE
Good day
Diabetic is a risk factor for gum disease, but it is NOT the cause of it. First let's find out why is the gum bleeding? Because there's inflammation. Why is there inflammation? Because there are bacteria (plaque)present. Many people when they saw their gum is bleeding when brushing, they will tends to avoid touch that area, this is not a correct concept. Bacteria will just build up more and more, the gum will always be inflamed, and the gum will never get better.
My advice is visit a dentist and get a proper cleaning done, and then make sure you brush properly at home (properly I mean brush one to two teeth at a time and move in a sequence so that you know you've covered ALL the surfaces of all the teeth.) You shouldn't feel any roughness with your tongue after you brush, the teeth should be very smooth.
The bleeding gum will get better within two weeks time if you can improve the oral hygiene.
Kind regards
Dr Chun- I Lee
Diabetic is a risk factor for gum disease, but it is NOT the cause of it. First let's find out why is the gum bleeding? Because there's inflammation. Why is there inflammation? Because there are bacteria (plaque)present. Many people when they saw their gum is bleeding when brushing, they will tends to avoid touch that area, this is not a correct concept. Bacteria will just build up more and more, the gum will always be inflamed, and the gum will never get better.
My advice is visit a dentist and get a proper cleaning done, and then make sure you brush properly at home (properly I mean brush one to two teeth at a time and move in a sequence so that you know you've covered ALL the surfaces of all the teeth.) You shouldn't feel any roughness with your tongue after you brush, the teeth should be very smooth.
The bleeding gum will get better within two weeks time if you can improve the oral hygiene.
Kind regards
Dr Chun- I Lee
Do dentists offer services to the uninsured?
Good day
It really depends on every individual dental practitioner. Some dentist ONLY see medical aid patients, some dentist ONLY see cash patient and some see both. So you READ MORE
Good day
It really depends on every individual dental practitioner. Some dentist ONLY see medical aid patients, some dentist ONLY see cash patient and some see both. So you will have to enquirer with the receptionist when you visit the dental practice.
Kind regards
Dr Chun-I Lee
It really depends on every individual dental practitioner. Some dentist ONLY see medical aid patients, some dentist ONLY see cash patient and some see both. So you will have to enquirer with the receptionist when you visit the dental practice.
Kind regards
Dr Chun-I Lee
