Examinations
Find it early – fix it early!
Your dental examination might be a “routine” 6 monthly check-up to you, but, for your dentist, they will take time to assess:
- your jaw joints (TMJ)
- your existing fillings
- evidence of fresh decay
- signs of acid erosion and tooth wear
- the supporting bone/gums around your teeth (periodontal condition)
- crowding/spacing – need for braces (orthodontics)
- oral hygiene
- oral cancer check
- dry mouth
- cosmetics
Children
We are a family orientated practice and will happily examine and register your children from birth – we just need their Health and Care number.
Seeing children from a young age helps us share the best advice for keeping a healthy smile, because tooth decay is preventable.
We’ll take time to make everyone as relaxed as possible and chat with your children as well as you, building a rapport, meaning any fears are often quickly forgotten.
Fillings
New or replacement fillings can be a necessary part of keeping tooth decay at bay. Traditionally “amalgam” fillings were used, particularly on back teeth as they are hardwearing and cost-effective.
We like to use composite or resin fillings where we can because:
- They are metal free – no mercury.
- They are highly cosmetic and much easier to blend into the natural tooth.
- They are long lasting too and because of the way they bond to the tooth can actually strengthen the tooth compared to the traditional metal variety.
Gum Therapy
Healthy teeth doesn’t just mean no fillings – we need healthy foundations too.
It is estimated that 50-90% of adults have some degree of gum disease, although it could be mild, moderate or severe.
Treatment and then maintenance in the form of gum or hygiene therapy will contribute to successful disease management.
We will take time to explain your specific problem and your role in giving a positive outcome.
Treatment involves careful flushing and cleaning of hardened on deposits and irritating toxins, with ultrasonic vibration and water-spray.
Session numbers vary depending on site and treatment need.
Crowns & Onlays
We use crowns to rebuild heavily broken-down teeth, when a filling might not do. It takes two appointments altogether because these restorations are individually made, by skilled technicians, after we have taken a print or mould of the teeth. They can be metal, or tooth-coloured.
The most cosmetic crowns are all-ceramic and these are private treatment options but, on Denplan or a with a finance plan, can be much more affordable than you might think. We can provide you with advice on the most appropriate plan for your needs.
We use experienced and registered labs.
Bridges
Bridges are similar to crowns – they are also lab-made appliances – but used to replace missing teeth.
Your new bridge could be all ceramic or porcelain bonded to a hidden metal skeleton. We will plan the shape and size of the bridge with your input and the look of the porcelain/ceramic can be almost as unique as you are.
They are nearly always used to replace one or two neighbouring spaces as this is when they are most predictable. There need to be enough remaining teeth of good quality and in the right position for a bridge to be attached. Most commonly we use a “Maryland” bridge because it is less destructive to the remaining teeth.
We’ll discuss your options fully and answer any questions you might have before you make up your mind.
Root Treatment
Root treatment (also known as root-canal treatment) often allows us to repair a tooth when the alternative would be to remove it.
This treatment is shaping, cleaning and then resealing the tapered, narrow spaces inside the teeth – the root canals.
On an x-ray image the rubbery filling is seen as a white line in the middle of the root.
If a tooth is causing bad pain, the nerve might be damaged beyond repair. If a tooth is causing infection, the nerve is probably dead. These are the common reasons for performing root treatment.
The tooth will be well numbed first and we can usually complete things with nothing to worry about.
For optimum hygiene and safety we use new root-canal instruments every time.
Extractions
This is removal of a tooth.
Reasons for removal might be to help your orthodontist fix an overcrowded smile, or because the tooth is broken beyond repair.
The tooth is thoroughly numbed on all sides before we simply, quickly and effectively wiggle it free.
Dentures
Are a cost effective option to close spaces left by missing teeth. They do take a bit of practice and perseverance but with the help of the lab technicians we can produce a pleasing cosmetic result.
They can in fact be incredibly realistic and with the right lip and cheek support have been called an “instant facelift”.
Private options include the use of more fracture-resistant “high-impact” materials, more comfortable and advanced metal frameworks and highly natural looking teeth.
Dentures typically take around four or five visits from start to finish.
Tooth Clenching/Grinding (Bruxism)
Many people clench or grind their teeth. Some realise and some do not. BUT, crazily, the bite forces on the teeth can be up to 40 times “normal”! Basically, that batters the teeth and your dental work, tires the muscles and strains the jaw joint.
You might experience headaches, jaw ache, limited opening, clicks, migraine, cracked teeth, sensitive teeth, broken fillings, a scalloped tongue or receding gums.
We don’t know why people grind and we treat it by reducing the impact and force – it can’t be switched off – but it can be managed.
Management is usually with a bite guard or splint and these come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
We have great experience with a well-tolerated and effective appliance called the SCI (sleep clench inhibitor).