Routine Dental Care

Bridges

A bridge literally bridges the gap created by missing teeth. Two crowns sit on either side of the gap with false teeth (attached to the bridge) in between. The difference between a bridge and a denture is that a bridge is cemented in place so it can’t be removed, whereas a denture can be taken in and out.

Dentures

A denture is a removable appliance fitted with false teeth. People wear dentures to replace lost or missing teeth. Dentures can be acrylic or metal. A full denture is one that replaces all the natural teeth.  A partial denture fills in the gaps left by missing teeth.

Implants

An implant is similar to a screw and is inserted directly into the bone under local anaesthetic. The bone grows up naturally around the implant and a crown is then attached to the screw – it looks and feels like a normal tooth. Dental implants can be the solution for patients who have lost all their teeth and do not want dentures.

Inlays/Onlays

An inlay or onlay is used where the cavity in the tooth is too large for a routine filling. An inlay fits inside the tooth and an onlay sits on top. The materials used are different to a normal filling because they need to bond to the remaining tooth. The inlay or onlay is custom made in a lab to ensure it fits and matches the tooth in colour.

Crowns

A crown is a cap that fits over a tooth. It’s used to restore teeth that have been broken or weakened by decay. The damaged tooth is filed down so that the crown fits neatly over the top, protecting the tooth from further damage. A crown is recommended where a tooth has become brittle after root canal treatment.

Veneers

A simple treatment for chipped or discoloured teeth, also used to close spaces between teeth. A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of the tooth, rather like a false fingernail fits over a real one. The result is a great smile, with natural-looking tee

Wisdom teeth extractions

Due to the lack of space, wisdom teeth sometimes get impacted and this can cause tooth decay and pain. An X-ray is taken which tells us whether your tooth needs to be removed. This can be done here at the surgery by our specialist oral surgeon who will explain exactly what to expect during and after the extraction.

Root Canal Treatments

Root canal treatment is necessary if the nerve and blood vessels in the middle of the root are inflamed or degenerating. In some cases, the root canal becomes infected causing an abscess in the bone. The dentist cleans out the canal and seals it to prevent further infection. The tooth usually becomes brittle making a crown necessary.

What is Bruxism?

Excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching – also called bruxism – is a common problem. It can damage the teeth and cause a number of different painful symptoms associated with the jaw and affect the overall day to day quality of life. Collectively, these symptoms are often referred to as Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD).

Splints

Splints can relieve jaw pain and headaches, and help prevent clenching and grinding. An orthodontic device is fitted over your teeth. The type used depends on your particular condition.

Mouth guards

A custom-made mouthguard is a rubber-like cover that fits exactly over your teeth and gums, cushioning and protecting them. It can prevent damaged teeth and broken or dislocated jaws.

The Sleepwell anti-snore guard stops snoring by preventing the lower jaw from dropping back during sleep so that the airways remain open. The guard is custom made in a specialist lab to fit your teeth. It has a soft inner lining and allows side-to-side movement of the lower jaw. It is adjustable to maximize effectiveness and comfort.

Biopsies are performed to find the cause of an abnormality or lesion. A biopsy is a straightforward procedure where your dentist removes a sample of mouth tissue and sends it off to a lab for analysis. The results are with you in a week.

See our consultant Mike Amin if needed.