Other Treatments
Cosmetice Dentistry
Veneers
Root Canal Treatment
White Fillings
Bridges
Crowns
Preventative care
Orthodontic treatment
Cosmetic Dentistry
The aims of cosmetic dentistry are to correct the imperfections caused by decayed, missing or misaligned teeth and to provide that perfect confident smile. This therefore involves all the dental disciplines we can provide in-house.The decayed badly coloured or slightly misaligned teeth can be crowned or veneered. The more misaligned teeth can be corrected by orthodontics, regardless of age. The missing teeth can be replaced either with dental implants, or bridges, or dentures
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Veneers
Veneers are a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of a tooth rather like a false fingernail. They are made to make teeth look natural and healthy. Very little preparation of the tooth is necessary due to the thinness of the veneer. They are bonded to the front surface of the tooth by using a very strong tooth coloured bonding agent.top^
Root canal treatment
Root Canal Treatment is needed when the blood or nerve supply of the tooth (known as the pulp) is infected through bacterial invasion from decay or injury. If the pulp becomes infected, the infection may spread through the root canal system of the tooth, which would eventually lead to an abscess. If Root Canal Treatment is not provided, the infection will spread and the tooth may need to be taken out.Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure. Most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits. It saves the necessity of extracting an infected tooth, which therefore avoids the complications and greater expense of replacing a missing tooth.
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White fillings
Fillings are used in a tooth after the decay or an old leaking filling has been removed. There are several different filling materials which can be used. The white filling materials are composed of a synthetic resin with very fine glass particles giving it strength and wear resistance. This also gives the material an appearance, which is very similar to healthy tooth tissue. Where very large old or broken fillings need replacing, a crown may be needed.top^
Bridges
When a tooth or teeth are missing they can be replaced by specially preparing the teeth on either side of the gap as if they were going to be crowned. The crowns are fused to the tooth replacement. This is then permanently cemented on to the prepared teeth. It can not be removed by the patient and should be cleaned using methods which would be demonstrated by the hygienist.top^
Crowns
Crowns are artificial covers made of porcelain or porcelain bonded to metal. They are fitted right over a specially prepared tooth, making it strong and giving it the shape, colour, contour and function of a natural healthy tooth. They are used to restore a tooth which has been weakened by decay or having a very large filling.They are also used to improve the aesthetics of badly discoloured teeth. Often, after a tooth has had a root filling, it may need to be crowned on a post fitted into the root, which helps to strengthen the tooth.
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Preventive care
The gums and periodontium (tissues surrounding the roots) are the foundations of the teeth.Their maintenance is of paramount importance to ensure teeth are kept for life.
There are two main forms of gum disease; these are Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease.
Gingivitis is when the gums around the teeth are red and swollen and if this is left unchecked will spread down to the supporting tissues causing Periodontal Disease. There are various forms of periodontal disease and as they progress, the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose.
If this is not treated the affected teeth will eventually fall out. It is important to remember that more teeth are lost due to gum disease than decay. The cause of this gum disease is a build up of plaque. This is a film of bacteria that builds up on the teeth and gums every day. Some of the bacteria in this plaque have been identified to be the cause of gum disease.
To prevent and treat gum disease, everyone needs to make sure that the plaque is properly removed from the teeth by the correct brushing and flossing. Our hygienist's main role is to provide professional cleaning of the teeth (scaling and polishing).
Even more important is her role in educating our patients in their home-care to prevent the damaging plaque and tartar from building up on the teeth and gums. Good home-care is important.
The dentist and hygienist liase closely to provide a programme tailored to meet each individuals specific needs.
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Orthodontic treatment
Many people have teeth that are crowded or crooked. Orthodontic treatment can be used to straighten their teeth, which also improves appearance and can make them easier to clean. In some patients the upper teeth can protrude and look unsightly. These protruding teeth can be easily damaged if knocked or in a fall. Orthodontic treatment can make the teeth less prominent and less likely to be damaged. In others an incorrect relationship between upper and lower jaws can cause appearance problems. Orthodontic treatment can not only correct a person's appearance but also their bite. If the teeth do not meet or bite correctly this can put a strain on the jaw joints eventually causing pain, clicks and sometimes migraine type headaches.Orthodontic treatment can correct the relationship of the teeth making the bite more even, so reducing the strain on the joints and help maintain the long term health of the teeth and gums. Orthodontic treatment can be performed on adults as well as children. There are increasing numbers of adults who are having orthodontic treatment to improve an appearance which they have been unhappy with, often for many years.
Where crowded tilted and missing teeth occur together in the same jaw, Orthodontic treatment is often used in conjunction with dental implant treatment to correct malpositioned teeth and provide a good and stable cosmetic solution
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