Crowns are laboratory made restorations that fit over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, adding strength to the top part of the tooth. They are often used to protect heavily restored, broken down or root canal treated teeth, or to re-establishing the natural shape and appearance of the tooth.
Crowns (or caps as they are sometimes known) can be made of a variety of materials including gold, porcelain or a combination of metal and porcelain.
Two visits are usually required, one to prepare the tooth and a second to fit the crown.
If you think you may need a crown or have any questions regarding crowns then please do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01243 823996.
Fissure sealants are a safe, quick and painless way to protect your teeth from decay. A plastic coating is applied to the grooves on the biting surface of your back teeth, forming a smooth, protective barrier to decay.
Fissure sealants are ideally placed as soon as the adult teeth erupt into the mouth (usually at 6-7 years of age).
If you have any questions regarding fissure sealants then please do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01243 823996.
Root canal treatment (or Endodontics) is needed when the pulp (nerve) of a tooth becomes irreversibly damaged as a result of decay or trauma. Ultimately the nerve will die and may lead to pain and the development of an infection.
The aim of root canal treatment is to clean and disinfect the tooth, then fill up the root space to prevent further infection. The treatment is often done over two appointments under local anaesthetic and feels no different from having an ordinary filling done.
If you think you may need root canal treatment or have any questions regarding root canal treatment then please do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01243 823996.
A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain or composite that fits over the front surface of a tooth (like a false fingernail). Veneers can be used to improve the colour, shape and alignment of your front teeth.
Veneers can sometimes be placed without doing any preparation to the teeth. If preparation is required it will be very minimal so as to preserve the natural teeth as much as possible.
If you have any questions regarding veneers then please do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01243 823996.
White fillings are a good, aesthetic alternative to traditional silver, amalgam fillings. The size of cavity and position will dictate what materials may be suitable. The majority of the time a composite material will be used but porcelain or glass ionomer materials can also be utilised.
If you think you may need a filling or are unhappy with any of your existing fillings then please do not hesitate to contact the surgery on 01243 823996.
Dentures can be made to replace multiple teeth, restore gaps and improve aesthetics. They can be made with meal frames or entirely from plastic acrylic. Clips can added to help keep the denture as stable as possible.
Denture design and level of customisation will be discussed between you and the dentist taking in to account the clinical situation, your wishes and budget. Denture usually take about 4 visits to make, each appointment being a week apart.
If you are unhappy with your current denture or wish to discuss options for filling any gaps you may have then please contact the practice on 01243 823996.
Bridges can be provided to fill smaller gaps in the mouth provided suitable teeth are available to support it. Bridges are either fixed in by placing a crown on an adjacent tooth/teeth or by bonding a metal wing onto the back of the supporting tooth.
Bridges are fixed into place and can provide an excellent solution to unsightly gaps. Bridges are usually made out of a metal sub-frame with porcelain fixed on top to maximise aesthetics. All porcelain ones have become available in recent years.
If you wish to speak to someone regarding the restoration of a gap, or possible alternative options to a partial denture then please contact the practice on 01243 823996
Dental hygienist are specially trained to work alongside dentists and play an important role in your dental care. Their main role is to help maintain the health of your gums and to teach you how to best look after yourself between visits.
Care will be tailored to your specific needs addressing any oral hygiene or dietary issues as well as providing professional cleaning to help prevent/stabilise any gum disease and reduce your risk of decay.
If you feel you may need, or have any questions about hygienist treatment, then please do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01243 823996.
Preventative dentistry is the modern way of looking after you dental health. By reducing your risk of gum disease and tooth decay – the two main causes of tooth loss – we can help keep your teeth healthy and reduce the amount of dental treatment you require.
Following your examination a course of treatment will be provided designed to stabilise any dental problem and also look at how we can best maintain a healthy mouth for the long term.
Other preventative measures will also be undertaken at your check-up, including a thorough screening of your soft tissues for signs of mouth cancer, assessment of any excessive tooth wear or any denture related problems.
If you would like to find out more about preventative dentistry then please do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01243 823996.
Anyone can be affected by mouth cancer and as with all cancers the earlier it is detected the better the chances of successful treatment. Thorough oral cancer screening is undertaken at every check-up and risk factors – such as heavy tobacco use or alcohol consumption – will be discussed.
The number of new cases of mouth cancer is rising and it is important to get regularly checked. If you have any painless ulcers that have not healed, red or white patches or anything you feel may not be “normal” please do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01243 823996.
Gum disease is the term used to describe a range of conditions that affect the tissues that support the teeth.
Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. A large percentage of the population have gingivitis to varying degrees due to the inadequate removal of plaque from teeth on a daily basis. Unless gingivitis is addressed it can potentially lead to periodontal disease which results in the destruction of the ligaments and bone that support your teeth. Periodontal disease is a major cause of tooth loss.
Early detection, professional cleaning and implementation of good oral hygiene regimes can eliminate gingivitis and stabilise periodontal disease. If you suffer from sore, bleeding gums or have any concerns regarding the health of your gums then please do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01243 823996.
Tooth whitening is a very popular, safe way of revitalising your smile. Tooth whitening can be used to lighten the shade of your teeth, improve the look of teeth with internal staining or teeth that have gone dark after root canal treatment.
At the practice we use the award winning Enlighten ™ tooth whitening system with great success.
If you would like to speak to a dentist about tooth whitening then please do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01243 823996.
The Inman Aligner is the perfect solution for correcting mild crowding or protrusion of the front teeth. It is really fast, very safe and great value compared to other systems. With the patented Inman Aligner, your front teeth can be gently guided to an ideal position in a matter of weeks. Most cases complete in 6-16 weeks and because it's removable you can take it out to fit with your lifestyle.
If you would like to speak to a dentist regarding the Inman Aligner then please do not hesitate to contact the practice on 01243 823996.
