✔ Medically Reviewed
Reviewed by Dr. Roshan Rayen , BDS, MDS — Chief Dentist, Rayen Dental Care Centre, Chennai
Registration number 5051
25 years of postgraduate clinical experience in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics
Your teeth and gums do a lot of work every day. They help you chew food, speak clearly and smile with confidence. Good oral health also supports your general health. Gum disease, for example, has been linked to diabetes and heart disease.
Most dental problems start small. A tiny cavity or slight gum bleeding rarely hurts at first, so many people ignore it. Over time, these small problems can turn into infections, tooth loss or costly treatment. Regular visits to a qualified dentist in Chennai help catch these problems early, when treatment is simple.
This guide explains common dental problems, what to look for when choosing a dentist, the treatments available, how often different age groups should visit, and what to expect at your first appointment. It also introduces the dental team at Rayen Dental Care Centre in Nungambakkam.
Why Choosing the Right Dentist Matters
Dental care is not a one time event. Most people visit the same dentist for years, sometimes for the whole family. So the dentist you choose affects your oral health over a long period.
A good dentist in Chennai will:
- Examine your mouth carefully and find problems early
- Explain what they found in simple words
- Give you treatment options, along with the benefits and risks of each
- Share a cost estimate before starting treatment
- Follow strict hygiene and sterilisation rules
- Guide you on how to prevent future problems
When these things are in place, you are more likely to get the right treatment at the right time, without surprises.
Common Dental Problems That Need Professional Care
- Tooth decay and cavities: Germs in the mouth feed on sugar and make acid. This acid slowly damages the tooth and forms a hole called a cavity. Early cavities can be fixed with a simple filling. Deep cavities may need a root canal.
- Gum disease and bleeding gums: Gum disease starts as gingivitis, where the gums turn red and bleed during brushing. If it is not treated, it can become periodontitis, which damages the bone holding the teeth. Teeth may then become loose.
- Missing teeth: Gaps make chewing and speaking harder. The teeth next to the gap may tilt into the space, and the jawbone in that area can shrink over time. Implants, bridges and dentures can replace missing teeth.
- Crooked or crowded teeth: Teeth that are out of line can be harder to clean and may affect your bite. Braces and clear aligners can move them into the right place.
- Tooth sensitivity: A sharp pain with hot, cold or sweet food can mean worn enamel, a cavity or gums that have moved back from the teeth.
- Bad breath: Bad breath that does not go away even after brushing often comes from gum disease, tongue coating or decay.
- Jaw pain and clicking: Pain, clicking or difficulty opening the mouth may point to a problem with the jaw joint, called temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
- Dental injuries: Falls, sports and road accidents can chip, crack or knock out teeth. Quick care gives the best chance of saving them.
What to Look for in a Dentist in Chennai
There are many dental clinics in the city, so it helps to know what to check before you decide.
- Registration and qualifications: Every dentist in India must have a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree and be registered with the State Dental Council. Many dentists also complete a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS), which gives advanced training in one specialty, such as children’s dentistry, braces or oral surgery.
- The right specialist for your need: A general dentist handles most everyday care. For specific needs, a specialist may be better. A pediatric dentist for young children, an orthodontist for braces, or an oral surgeon for impacted wisdom teeth.
- Experience with your problem: Ask how often the dentist treats cases like yours.
- Hygiene and sterilisation: Ask how instruments are cleaned and sterilised. NABH accreditation shows that a clinic’s safety and hygiene processes are checked against national standards.
- Diagnostic tools: Digital X-rays help the dentist see problems that are not visible to the eye, such as decay between teeth or bone loss.
- Clear communication: A good dentist explains your condition and choices, answers your questions patiently and does not rush you into treatment.
- Clear costs: You should receive a cost estimate before treatment begins.
- Comfort options: If you or your child feel anxious about dental visits, ask what the clinic does to help.
Meet the Dental Team at Rayen Dental Care Centre
Rayen Dental Care Centre in Nungambakkam has nine dentists working across general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and oral medicine and radiology. For patients looking for a dentist in Chennai who can care for the whole family, this means children, adults and older patients can be seen in one place, with diagnosis, imaging and treatment under one roof.
Dr. Roshan Rayen
- Qualifications: BDS, MDS, POS
- Experience: 25+ years
- Designation: Pedodontist and Dental Surgeon, Director
- Area of work: Pediatric Dentistry, early bite guidance and sedation dentistry
Dr. Roshan Rayen is the Director of Rayen Dental Care Centre. He studied at Madras Dental College and Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, and holds an MDS in pediatric dentistry.
Before setting up his practice, he worked as a pedodontist and general dentist at several healthcare centres, including Dr. Vijayalakshmi Acharya’s clinic, Best Hospital, and the Ministry of Defence facility in Avadi.
A major part of his work is conscious sedation, which helps anxious patients, especially children, stay calm during treatment. He has published papers on conscious sedation in national and international journals, and he conducts dental camps and training programmes for dentists. His clinical interests include children’s dentistry, guiding jaw growth and bite development, airway focused dental care and sedation dentistry.
Dr. Nida Fathima
- Qualifications: BDS
- Experience: 7+ years
- Designation: Dental Surgeon
- Area of work: General Dentistry
Dr. Nida Fathima has more than seven years of experience in general dentistry. Her work covers the everyday dental needs of adults, including checkups, scaling and cleaning, fillings, gum care, root canal treatment and tooth removal.
She places strong importance on prevention. During visits, she explains how brushing, flossing and diet affect the teeth, so that patients can avoid bigger problems later. Before starting any treatment, she explains the options, the number of visits needed and the expected cost. When a case needs specialised care, she works with the other dentists in the clinic to plan the next step.
Dr. Chandramouly
- Designation: Dental Surgeon
- Area of work: General Dentistry
Dr. Chandramouly provides general dental care for adult patients. His work includes dental checkups, cleaning, fillings, treatment of sensitivity and restorative care for damaged teeth.
He often sees patients on their first visit to the clinic. He checks the overall health of the teeth and gums, listens to the patient’s concerns and decides whether routine care is enough or whether a specialist in the team should be involved. He takes time to explain his findings clearly, so patients feel confident about their next step.
Dr. D. Manikandan
- Qualifications: BDS, MDS
- Experience: 7+ years
- Designation: Associate Pediatric Dentist
- Area of work: Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. D. Manikandan has more than seven years of experience and holds an MDS in pediatric dentistry. He treats dental problems in children and teenagers, including cavities, infected milk teeth and early loss of milk teeth.
He uses gentle methods to help nervous children stay calm, such as explaining each step and showing the tools before using them. He also guides parents on brushing, the right amount of toothpaste for the child’s age and how sugary snacks affect teeth.
Dr. Chandrakantha Balaraman
- Qualifications: BDS, MDS
- Experience: 5+ years
- Designation: Associate Pediatric Dentist
- Area of work: Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Chandrakantha Balaraman has more than five years of experience and holds an MDS in pediatric dentistry. She cares for infants, children and teenagers, adjusting her approach to each age.
Her work includes first dental checks for babies, preventive care such as sealants and fluoride, fillings, and early checks of how the teeth and bite are developing. She takes extra time with first time patients who feel nervous, so that the visit feels safe and positive.
Dr. Anunitha R
- Qualifications: MDS
- Designation: Pediatric Dentist
- Area of work: Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Anunitha R holds an MDS in pediatric dentistry. Her work focuses on gentle, preventive care for children. At regular checkups, she looks for early signs of decay and crowding, so that problems can be treated simply and early.
When treatment is needed, she explains each step in words the child can understand. This helps reduce anxiety and builds trust for future visits.
Dr. Madhu Nandhini K
- Qualifications: MDS
- Designation: Pediatric Dentist
- Area of work: Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Madhu Nandhini K holds an MDS in pediatric dentistry. She provides preventive care such as checkups, fluoride varnish and sealants, along with restorative care such as tooth coloured fillings and crowns for milk teeth.
She focuses on making children comfortable from their very first visit, as early experiences often shape how children feel about the dentist as they grow.
Dr. Bhavithra Augusthian
- Qualifications: BDS, MDS
- Experience: 7+ years
- Designation: Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist
- Area of work: Oral Medicine and Radiology
Dr. Bhavithra Augusthian has more than seven years of experience and holds an MDS in oral medicine and radiology. She reads X-rays and scans to find problems that cannot be seen during a normal examination, such as infection at the root tip, cysts in the jaw, impacted teeth and bone loss.
She also examines patients with mouth ulcers, white or red patches and other changes in the lining of the mouth. Some of these need careful follow up to rule out serious disease, including oral cancer. Her findings help the treating dentists plan care accurately.
Dr. Jebarani Jeevitha S
- Qualifications: MDS
- Designation: Oral and Maxillofacial Physician and Radiologist
- Area of work: Oral Diagnosis and Radiology
Dr. Jebarani Jeevitha S holds an MDS and works in oral diagnosis and maxillofacial radiology. She studies detailed images of the jaws and face to help assess conditions of the jaw joint, impacted teeth and changes in the bone.
She works closely with the treating dentists before procedures such as wisdom tooth removal and implant placement, so that treatment is planned with a clear picture of the patient’s condition.
NABH Accreditation
Rayen Dental Care Centre is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH), a constituent board of the Quality Council of India. The clinic has been assessed under the NABH standards for Dental Health Service Providers.
- Certificate number: D-2025-0455
- Valid from: 13 March 2025
- Valid until: 12 March 2029
The clinical services covered are General Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine and Radiology, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, and Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry.
For patients, this means the clinic’s processes for hygiene, sterilisation and patient safety are reviewed by an outside body against national standards.
Help for Patients Who Feel Anxious
Fear of the dentist is common, in both children and adults. Some people delay treatment for years because of it, which often allows problems to grow.
Rayen Dental Care Centre offers several ways to make visits more comfortable:
- Clear explanations: Each step is explained before it happens, so there are no surprises.
- Audio visual distraction: Screens above the dental chair help keep the patient’s mind away from the procedure. This is especially useful for children.
- Nitrous oxide sedation: Often called laughing gas, it is breathed in through a small nose mask. It helps the patient feel calm and relaxed while staying awake. The effect wears off soon after the mask is removed. The dentist checks the patient’s medical history first to make sure it is suitable.
Dental Treatments Available
- Preventive care: Checkups, professional cleaning, fluoride application, sealants and guidance on brushing and diet.
- Fillings and inlays: Tooth coloured fillings repair cavities. For larger cavities, a ceramic inlay may save more of the natural tooth than a full crown.
- Root canal treatment: When infection reaches the inner pulp of a tooth, root canal treatment removes the infection and seals the tooth, so it can be kept instead of removed.
- Crowns and bridges: Crowns protect weak or broken teeth. Bridges replace missing teeth by attaching to the teeth on either side of the gap.
- Dental implants: A small post is placed in the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth, and a crown is fixed on top. With good care, implants can last for many years.
- Dentures: Removable dentures replace several missing teeth or a full set.
- Gum treatment: Deep cleaning and other care for gum disease, to protect the bone that holds the teeth.
- Wisdom tooth removal: Wisdom teeth that are stuck or growing at an angle may need to be removed through minor surgery.
- Braces and clear aligners: Metal braces, ceramic braces and clear aligners such as Invisalign and Spark are used to straighten teeth and correct the bite. Retainers are given after treatment to hold the teeth in place.
- Children’s dentistry: Checkups, fluoride, sealants, fillings for milk teeth, pulp treatment, space maintainers and habit correction.
- Cosmetic dentistry: Teeth whitening, veneers and smile design.
- Laser dentistry: Used in certain gum and soft tissue procedures. In suitable cases, it may help reduce bleeding and support healing.
- TMD care: Assessment and management of jaw joint pain and clicking, which may include bite splints and jaw exercises.
- Snoring and sleep apnea care: For suitable patients diagnosed through a sleep study, a custom oral appliance can be made to hold the lower jaw forward during sleep and help keep the airway open.
- Emergency care: Treatment for severe toothache, swelling, broken teeth and dental injuries.
Braces Are Not Only for Teenagers
Many adults believe it is too late to straighten their teeth. In most cases, it is not. Teeth can be moved at any age as long as the gums and bone are healthy.
Adults today often choose clear aligners. These are thin, nearly invisible trays that are changed every few weeks to move the teeth step by step. They can be removed for eating and brushing. Ceramic braces, which are tooth coloured, are another option. Your dentist will advise which choice suits your teeth, your lifestyle and your goals.
Smile Design
Some people want to change how their smile looks, for example by fixing stained, chipped, uneven or gapped teeth. Smile design combines treatments such as whitening, veneers, alignment and gum reshaping to plan these changes.
The plan is based on the shape of your face, teeth and gums. Your dentist will explain what can be achieved, how long it will take and the cost before you decide.
Why Children and Seniors Need Regular Dental Visits
Children: Regular visits help track how the teeth and jaws are growing, apply fluoride and sealants, catch decay early, and spot bite problems while they can still be guided. Early visits also help children feel comfortable with the dentist.
Seniors: Older adults face different risks, such as gum disease, receding gums, dry mouth caused by medicines, worn teeth, and problems with dentures or implants. The risk of oral cancer also rises with age. Regular checkups help manage these changes and catch serious problems early.
For families looking for a dentist in Chennai who can care for every age group, a clinic with both general and pediatric dentists can make regular visits easier to manage.
Your Mouth and Your General Health
During a routine checkup, a dentist may notice signs that point to health problems elsewhere in the body. These can include:
- Gum problems that may be linked to diabetes
- Sores or patches that need checking for oral cancer
- Mouth ulcers or changes in the tongue linked to vitamin deficiencies
- Dry mouth caused by medicines or certain health conditions
If your dentist notices such signs, they may advise you to see your doctor for further tests.
Cost of Dental Treatment
The cost of dental treatment depends on the type of procedure, how severe the problem is, the materials used and the number of visits needed.
- Consultation: Includes an examination and a discussion of your treatment options
- Cleaning: One of the simplest preventive treatments
- Fillings: Cost depends on the size of the cavity and the material used
- Root canal treatment: Depends on which tooth is involved and how complex the case is
- Braces and aligners: Depends on the type chosen and how long treatment takes
- Implants: Involve planning, surgery, materials and follow up visits
- Cosmetic treatments: Depend on your goals and the treatments needed
At Rayen Dental Care Centre, you receive a cost estimate during your consultation, before any treatment is scheduled. You can ask the front desk about insurance and payment options.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
When you visit a dentist in Chennai for the first time, here is what usually happens:
- A talk about your concerns, medical history and current medicines
- A full check of your teeth, gums, tongue and jaw
- X-rays or scans, only if they are needed
- A clear explanation of what the dentist found
- Treatment options with timelines and costs
- Advice on preventing future problems
You are welcome to ask questions at any point. A good dentist will make sure you understand your options before you decide.
When Should You Visit a Dentist?
Book a visit if you notice:
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- Bleeding or swollen gums
- Bad breath that does not go away
- A broken, chipped or loose tooth
- Jaw pain or clicking
- Swelling in the face or gums
- A sore in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks
Even when nothing hurts, a checkup every six months is one of the simplest ways to keep your teeth healthy.
How to Prevent Cavities and Gum Problems
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss once a day to clean between your teeth.
- Clean your tongue gently every day.
- Replace your toothbrush every three months.
- Limit sugary foods, sweets and soft drinks, especially between meals.
- Drink plenty of water after meals.
- Avoid tobacco in any form.
- Get a professional cleaning as advised by your dentist.
How to Book an Appointment
- Call +91 90038 79676 or +91 72000 96075
- WhatsApp +91 90038 79676
- Email rayendental@gmail.com
- Online form on the Contact Us page
Address: Redbricks Leela Apartments, 30/1 Tank Bund Road, Nungambakkam (near Loyola College), Chennai 600 034
Conclusion
Your oral health affects how you eat, speak and feel every day. Regular checkups, good habits at home and timely treatment help keep your teeth healthy for life.
When choosing a dentist in Chennai, look at registration, qualifications, hygiene standards, diagnostic tools and how clearly the dentist explains your treatment and costs.
Rayen Dental Care Centre in Nungambakkam is NABH accredited and has a team of general dentists, pediatric dentists and oral medicine specialists who care for patients of every age. Whether you need a routine checkup, care for your child or treatment for a specific problem, a consultation is the right first step, so your care is planned around your own needs.
