Fillings
Most people have metal amalgam fillings rather than the more natural looking, white coloured fillings.
We strive to preserve and enhance your smile. We have considerable experience of successfully applying white coloured fillings for a wide variety of, very satisfied, patients. If you need a filling, our white coloured fillings offer you the solution to restoring the natural brilliance of your smile.
- White fillings are a popular alternative to traditional metallic fillings and equally effective.
- They are made from a plastic composite resin and can be applied anywhere in the mouth.
- You can typically receive a white filling within a single appointment.
The quick and easy steps to having a white filling are as follows.
Our experienced dentists will carefully numb the area using local anaesthetic and they are specially trained to deliver this as comfortably as possible.
The next step is to prepare the tooth often by removing any decay.
Finally, the white filling is applied to bond according to the curve and shape of your teeth.
Extractions
If your tooth is damaged or decayed and can’t be repaired with a filling or crown first, our dentist may decide to remove (extract) the tooth as a last resort.
When your tooth can’t be repaired, tooth removal may be the best option for you. However our dentist will talk through your options with you during your consultation. If you think you might need a tooth extracted, please contact us and book an appointment.
There are lots of reasons why you might need to have a tooth removed. For example, if you have:
- Severe tooth decay
- Gum disease (periodontal disease)
- A broken tooth that can’t be repaired
- An abscess (a collection of pus) on your gums or around your teeth
- Crowded teeth – when your teeth don’t have enough space in your jaw
- Impacted wisdom teeth
Our dentist will usually remove a tooth in the dental surgery. But sometimes an oral surgeon will do the procedure in hospital if your extraction is more complicated. You can usually go home on the same day.
Bridges
A bridge may be used to replace missing teeth, help maintain the shape of your face, and alleviate stress on your bite.
- A bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, looks great, and literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth may have been.
- Your bridge can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials, and is bonded onto surrounding teeth for support.
The success of any bridge depends on its foundation — the other teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached. Therefore, it's very important to keep your existing teeth, gums, and jaw healthy and strong.
Crowns
Crowns are a restoration used to strengthen a tooth or improve its shape. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or partially destroyed by tooth decay.
- Crowns are "cemented" onto an existing tooth and fully cover the portion of your tooth above the gum line.
- In effect, the crown becomes your tooth's new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain,(tooth coloured) metal, or both.
- Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.
Crowns or onlays (partial crowns) are needed when there is insufficient tooth strength remaining to hold a filling. Unlike fillings which apply the restorative material directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated away from your mouth. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed.
Root Canal Treatment
A root canal treatment might be considered by our dentist if the inner part of your tooth - known as the pulp - has been severely damaged by either injury or decay. The pulp is the nerve supply to your tooth and without treatment, any infection can spread downwards into your gum, causing an abscess.
- The infected pulp will be removed and then the root canal will be thoroughly cleaned out, removing any sign of infection.
- Our dentist will then leave the tooth to settle and if no more treatment is required, the tooth can be permanently filled. Sometimes a crown is added simply to provide security and strength; a tooth without a pulp is effectively "dead" and can be weaker.
Dentures
Dentures have been used to replace missing teeth for many years. With advances in dental technology and the use of the latest dental materials, dentures can be made to look and feel like your own natural teeth.
- If you are missing all of your teeth then a complete set of upper and lower dentures is used to replace them.
- However if only a few of the teeth need replacing then in many cases your dentist may be able to fit a partial denture/over denture.
- The fitting of a partial/over dentures can prevent your existing healthy teeth from moving into the gaps following the tooth loss.
- Some dentures are held in place by their natural suction to your gums (sometimes with the use of a fixative).
Our Dental Technicians use the highest quality materials available to obtain the most realistic and well fitting dentures.
Veneers
You no longer need to hide your smile because of gaps, chips, stains, or misshapen teeth. With veneers, you can easily correct your teeth's imperfections to help you have a more confident, beautiful smile. Veneers are natural in appearance and are a perfect option for patients wanting to make minor adjustments to the look and feel of their smile.
- Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made from tooth-coloured materials (such as porcelain) designed to cover the front side of your teeth.
- To prepare for veneers, your dentist will create a unique model of your teeth.
- This model is sent to our dental laboratory where your veneers are skilfully crafted.
- Before placing your new veneer, your dentist may need to conservatively prepare your tooth to achieve the desired aesthetic result.
When your veneers are placed, you'll be pleased to see that they look like your natural teeth. While veneers are stain-resistant, your doctor may recommend that you avoid coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco to maintain the beauty of your new smile