TREATMENTS
GENERAL DENTISTRY
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
HYGIENE
Dental hygiene treatment is delivered by the hygienist who will remove plaque and calculus from your teeth to prevent or treat existing gum disease. Your teeth will be professionally cleaned using specialised equipment and pastes.
An important aspect of the hygienist’s role is to show you how to look after your teeth so they remain free from plaque, which in turn will prevent tooth decay and gum disease. You will be advised on the best brushing technique and given tips on flossing and using interdental brushes. If you have dental implants, a bridge, a denture, or an orthodontic appliance, you will have specific hygiene needs that your dentist or hygienist will be able to assist you with.
We recommend that you come in for regular check-ups and hygiene appointments to ensure your mouth stays clean and healthy.
CHILDREN'S TEETH
As a practice, we support the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry’s campaign Dental Check by One. This advises all parents and guardians to ensure that young children in their care are taken to see a dentist as soon as their first teeth come through, and before their first birthday. To find out about the Dental Check by One campaign, go to: https://dentalcheckbyone.co.uk
Studies have shown that the younger the age that you bring your child to the dental practice the more likely they are to have a positive experience and grow up not to be afraid of visiting the dentist. Our team will take special care of your child to make them feel safe and cared for.
Regular check-ups from a young age will ensure your child does not suffer from an untreated dental disease such as tooth decay, which can have devastating effects on their growing dentition. It also allows for early detection of any possible development abnormalities such as missing or misaligned teeth, which the sooner this is spotted can be treated more easily.
There are several preventive treatments that our team can provide for children, including topical fluoride application and fissure sealants. Fluoride is painted onto the surface of children’s teeth, making them more resistant to tooth decay formation and promoting the reversal of the early stages of decay. A fissure sealant is a tooth-coloured resin that is applied to the biting surfaces of molar teeth to cover the deep pits and grooves (fissures) that are at higher risk of tooth decay.
Prevention is always better than cure, so call the practice today to make an appointment for your child.
EXTRACTIONS
We try to remove teeth only as a last resort but on occasion, this may be required for several reasons, for example when a tooth has severe decay, an abscess, gum disease or is broken beyond repair. Other indications for tooth removal include crowding to allow orthodontics or impacted wisdom teeth that cause pain, swelling and/or infection.
Tooth extraction is performed under local anaesthetic therefore the patient is awake during the procedure but does not feel any pain. The time it takes to extract a tooth can vary depending on the complexity of the tooth being removed but we will advise on this prior to starting the procedure. After the tooth has been successfully removed, we will ensure that the tooth socket is beginning to heal and give the patient some instructions for them to follow at home to enable the socket to heal fully without any complications.
SPLINTS
FILLINGS
Fillings are one of the most common dental procedures and are primarily done to repair damaged teeth, but they can also be used to improve cosmetic appearance. The dentist will discuss with you the different filling material options before the procedure so that a joint decision can be made on which material best provides the solution to the tooth’s problem. Tooth-coloured fillings can be done using composite resin, which has excellent aesthetic and functional characteristics and it is often not possible to see that the tooth has a filling. Fillings are usually done under local anaesthetic so that the patient can be as comfortable as possible during the procedure.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic treatment, is a procedure, to treat teeth that have become infected by bacteria. The root canal may become infected in several ways, with the most common being tooth trauma and tooth decay. This infection may spread through the root canal system, which could eventually lead to an abscess, causing a great deal of discomfort. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the tooth may need to be extracted.
The purpose of root canal treatment is to remove the dead or inflamed nerve tissues that are causing infection. Using specific techniques and advanced equipment and usually performed under local anaesthetic, the root canals are cleaned and filled to prevent further infection. Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure, which may need to be carried out over multiple appointments.
CROWNS
A crown is a type of dental restoration that is used to preserve a weakened tooth that is at risk of fracturing, to replace a large filling when insufficient tooth is remaining, to protect a tooth following root canal treatment, to improve the appearance of a poorly shaped or discoloured tooth, to hold a bridge in place or to prevent food packing. The crown fits over the remaining part of the prepared tooth, making it more durable and giving it the shape of a natural tooth.
Two visits are normally required to complete a dental crown procedure. At the first visit, the tooth is carefully prepared and impressions (moulds) of the teeth are taken which are sent to our lab technician who will custom make the crown designed to fit perfectly in your mouth. At the end of this first appointment, you will be fitted with a temporary crown so that the tooth can function between appointments. At the second visit which is usually within two weeks of the first, the temporary crown is removed and replaced with the definitive one after you have confirmed you are happy with the colour, shape and fit.
Crowns can be made from a variety of materials with different benefits associated with each material. The dentist will discuss with you the different crown options before the procedure so that a joint decision can be made on which material best provides the desired outcome.
BRIDGES
Dental bridges are a fixed option to replace one or more missing teeth. There are many different configurations of bridge design but classically a tooth on either side of the space is used to support the bridge, providing these teeth have sufficient strength.
Two visits are normally required to complete a dental bridge procedure. At the first visit, the teeth that will support the bridge are carefully prepared and impressions (moulds) of the teeth are taken which are sent to our lab technician who will custom make the bridge designed to fit perfectly in your mouth. At the end of this first appointment, you will be fitted with a temporary restoration so that the teeth can function between appointments. At the second visit which is usually within two weeks of the first, the temporary restoration is removed and replaced with the definitive bridge after you have confirmed you are happy with the colour, shape and fit.
DENTURES
Dentures are a removable set of artificial teeth that replace the natural teeth you have lost and are used to restore the appearance and oral functions.
Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing and need replacing. They are held in place with an acrylic base that fits snugly over your gums and relies on natural suction or the use of artificial adhesives for retention. In some instances, patients greatly benefit from an implant-supported overdenture, which is when implants are placed in the jawbone to support a framework that the denture then connects to. The advantages of this technique include improved stability, retention, comfort, and less shrinkage of the jawbone over time.
Partial dentures are used when some healthy natural teeth remain and just a few teeth require replacement. The artificial teeth rest on a framework that attaches to your remaining teeth as well as fitting over your gums. The dentist will discuss with you the various designs and materials that can be used to construct the partial denture so that a joint decision can be made to best achieve the desired outcome.
IMPLANTS
A dental implant is a fixed option used to replace missing teeth. They can be used to replace a single, multiple, or even a full mouth of missing teeth.
An implant consists of a titanium screw that is inserted into the jawbone and is then restored with a prosthesis (crown, bridge, or overdenture).
The process of having a dental implant is done over multiple appointments and includes the planning, surgical and the restorative phases of treatment.
Following successful implant placement, regular maintenance appointments are required to help care for your implant to preserve their health and maximise their longevity.
The benefits of dental implants include:
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they are regarded as the best substitute for missing teeth as they look and feel most like natural teeth
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they allow you to bite with the same amount of force that you would with your natural teeth
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they are fixed in the mouth so do not need to be removed for cleaning as is the case with dentures
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they are independent of the neighbouring teeth so do not require tooth preparation as in case of dental bridges
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they preserve bone and prevent further deterioration of the facial structure, thus improving appearance
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they enable natural speech as they feel and function like natural teeth as opposed to dentures which can impact on your ability to pronounce certain words
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they support adjacent teeth - a gap in your mouth caused by a missing tooth can cause the teeth on either side of the gap to alter position, leading to misalignment
TOOTH WHITENING
Over time teeth can naturally become stained and discoloured, a process that is sped up by smoking, drinking tea, coffee, red wine, and eating dyed foods.
When provided by your dentist, tooth whitening is a safe and easy way to improve the appearance of your smile. Teeth are whitened gradually so you can reach your desired tooth shade and stop whitening when you are happy.
Tooth whitening treatment is done over a couple of appointments. At the first appointment, the dentist will take impressions (moulds) of your teeth which will be sent to our lab technician who will make custom-made whitening trays designed for your mouth. At the second appointment, the dentist will check the fit of the trays to ensure a perfect fit and seal. They will also demonstrate how to carry out the tooth whitening procedure and give you written instructions so that you are happy doing it from the comfort of your own home at your convenience. In most cases, patients achieve their desired outcome after three weeks and a follow-up appointment can be made to assess your progress.
If you are interested in any of the above treatments, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Invisalign®
One of the biggest orthodontic advancements to date, Invisalign® has revolutionised the world of orthodontic treatment. Invisalign® clear aligners are a series of removable aligners used to correct a broad range of orthodontic concerns, including crowding, aligning crooked teeth, and closing spaces.
The benefits of Invisalign® clear aligners over conventional metal wire and brackets orthodontic appliances include:
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Improved aesthetics as the aligners are clear
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More comfortable to wear
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Removable so patients can enjoy food and drink as normal
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Removable so patients can brush and care for their teeth easily
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Low maintenance so fewer appointments are needed
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Rapid results so treatment times tend to be shorter
The Invisalign® treatment process begins with a consultation with our Invisalign® accredited dentist who will carry out a comprehensive assessment to see if you are suitable to undergo treatment. Some records will be taken so that a treatment plan can be constructed that is tailored to your desired outcomes. At a follow-up appointment, you will have the opportunity to visualise your proposed new smile using specialised digital imaging technology and give your consent for the manufacture of your custom-made aligners. During active treatment, typically you will wear each aligner for 22 hours a day for a week before moving on to the next aligner in the series. You will have periodic appointments with your dentist so that your progress can be monitored, and tweaks made if necessary. This active phase of treatment usually takes between three and nine months to complete and once you and your dentist are happy with the appearance and function of your teeth, you will be provided with custom-made retainers that will help maintain your new smile.
VENEERS
Veneering of teeth is a technique where the surfaces of the teeth that are visible in the smile are covered with either composite or ceramic to improve the shape, alignment, and colour of the teeth. This can be performed on a single tooth or multiple teeth as part of a smile makeover.
Composite veneers or ‘composite bonding’ is done by the dentist without the need for any tooth preparation or reshaping and is usually done during one appointment. Yearly maintenance appointments may be necessary to polish the composite to keep your teeth looking great.
Ceramic veneers are custom-made by an experienced lab technician following some minimal preparation of the teeth and are subsequently cemented to the tooth surface. They offer the ultimate aesthetic result and are very durable meaning less maintenance is required, and they can be expected to last longer than composite veneers.
If you are interested in any of the above treatments, please get in touch.