General & Cosmetic Dentistry at Dental Surgery Group

Root Canal (Endodontic) Treatment

Deep tooth decay, deep fractures or an injury due to trauma, can cause serious damage and infection to the pulp. If the pulp becomes infected, the infection can spread through the entire root canal system of the tooth. This will eventually lead to an abscess. Root canal, or endodontic treatment, cleans out the infected pulp chamber and repairs the damage so the tooth can be saved.

Extractions & Wisdom Teeth

Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, but most commonly to remove teeth which have become non-restorable through tooth decay, periodontal disease or dental trauma, especially when they are associated with toothache.

In orthodontics if the teeth are crowded, sound teeth may be extracted to create space so the rest of the teeth can be straightened.

Wisdom Teeth

Sometimes there may not be room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth and, as they start to come through, they push against the teeth already there or may start to come through at an angle. When this happens, you might feel some pain or discomfort, so the best thing to do is to visit your dentist.

The dentist will probably take an X-Ray of your mouth to see how or if your wisdom teeth are coming through. From this, they will be able to make a judgement on whether or not to take them out, and how easy or difficult it might be. Extractions can also be done under sedation.

Fillings

When tooth decay or other damage causes a cavity or crack in a tooth, a filling is usually the recommended treatment. Your dentist will offer you the type of filling most appropriate for your tooth.

Types of fillings available:

• Amalgam (silver-coloured):
  A mixture of metals including mercury, silver, tin, and copper.

• Composite (tooth-coloured):
  Composite resins (tooth coloured fillings) are popular because their colour can be matched to your teeth. They provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small- to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They can be used on either front or back teeth.

• Glass Ionomer (tooth-coloured):
  Powdered glass, which reacts chemically with your tooth and bonds to it, but it is weak so is only used on baby (first) teeth or around the sides of teeth or as interim fillings.

Crowns

A crown, (sometimes known as a ‘cap’) is an artificial restoration that fits over the remaining part of a prepared tooth, making it strong and improving its appearance by giving it the shape and size of a natural tooth.

A crown may be required for a number of reasons:

• Strengthen teeth that have been broken or have been weakened by decay or a very large filling.

• Teeth that have had a root filling may need a crown to protect it.

• Improve the appearance of poorly shaped teeth discoloured teeth or teeth that have large discoloured fillings.

• To support a bridge or even a denture.

Bridges

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is one of three ways in which missing teeth can be replaced. The other ways are by means of dental implants or a partial denture (removable false tooth or teeth).

A dental bridge is usually used where there are fewer teeth to replace, or when the missing teeth are only on one side of the mouth. You can have a conventional or an adhesive bridge each of which has its own merits.

Inlays & Onlays

Dental inlays and onlays are used to restore a damaged or decayed tooth’s biting surface. They are bigger than fillings and smaller and more conservative than crowns. Inlays and onlays can be made from porcelain, composite resin or gold.

Dental inlays are similar to fillings and lie within indented top surfaces of a tooth. They are individually made to match your tooth’s specification and are then cemented into place. Dental onlays are a more extensive reconstruction and are used to treat decay/damage that extends to one or more of cusps.

Onlays conserve more tooth structure when compared to a placement of a crown because their use requires minimal removal a tooth’s surface

Dentures

Our dentists will help you replace lost or missing teeth and restore your health and appearance. A denture is one of three ways in which missing teeth can be replaced. The other ways are by means of dental implants or a bridge.

A dental denture is an appliance which is worn to replace lost or missing teeth to enable you to enjoy a healthy diet and smile with confidence. A complete or full denture is one that replaces all of the natural teeth in either the upper or lower jaws. A partial denture fills in the spaces created by lost or missing teeth and is attached to your natural teeth with metal clasps or devices called precision attachments.

A complete or full denture replaces the natural teeth and provides support for cheeks and lips.  Without this support, sagging facial muscles can make a person appear older and reduce their ability to eat and speak.

Dentures sit on top of the gum but the gum changes shape, particularly in the period following extraction. Therefore with time dentures may become mobile and may need to be relined to improve the fit.The base of a denture is called a plate and can be made of either acrylic (plastic) or metal. The teeth are normally made of acrylic and can be made to match your natural teeth. This is especially important in the case of partial dentures.

Types of Dentures:

• Acrylic

• Cobalt Chrome

• Cosmetic Semi-Flexible Denture

Examination

Dental check-ups are essential for maintaining a healthy smile.  You might not feel there's anything wrong with your teeth but it's essential to have regular check-ups to keep your mouth healthy, and make sure any issues are dealt with as soon as possible or prevent them altogether. 

At your check-up visit, your dentist will ask about your general health, examine your gums, teeth and mouth. Any treatment that you may require, will be discussed in detail with all options available.

After your check-up, your dentist will recommend a date for your next visit. The time to your next check-up could be as short as three months or as long as two years.

Dental Decay

Decay may or may not cause discomfort; even though it doesn’t hurt, the tooth maybe deteriorating.

Cavities can develop from the biting surface of the tooth (occlusal surface) or from the surfaces between the teeth (interproximal surface).

Using higher magnification and powerful lighting, it is easier to detect decay at an early stage to prevent excessive tooth damage. When cavities are small, they are much easier and less expensive to treat.  If decay is left untreated the nerve of the tooth may become infected and die. This may cause an abscess.

Early tooth decay does not tend to show many physical signs. Sometimes the tooth looks healthy, but your dentist will be able to see from an x-ray whether you have any decay under the enamel or under existing fillings.

Gum Disease & Periodontics

Periodontal or gum disease is an infection affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth. These tissues include the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease is usually a slow, painless, progressive condition. Most adults with this disease are unaware they have it but if diagnosed and treated early the teeth can be saved.

Hygienist

Regular professional cleaning combined with your home care will help keep your mouth healthy. A clean and healthy mouth will improve your appearance, help you to keep your teeth and give you fresh breath.

Airflow®

The hygienist may suggest airflow which is a fast-working stain removal treatment. The AIRFLOW^® method uses a wand to deep clean and polish your teeth with a combination of water, compressed air and fine powder particles. It uses air-water micro-burst technology to reach nooks and crannies that traditional scaling simple can't. The effects of the treatment will depend on your lifestyle.

Mouth Cancer

Mouth cancer is a malignant growth which can occur in any part of the mouth, including the tongue, lips and throat. Mouth cancers have a higher proportion of deaths per number of cases than breast cancer, cervical cancer or skin melanoma. The mortality rate is just over 50%, despite treatment, with about 1,700 deaths per year in the UK. This is because of late detection.

Visit your dentist at once if you notice any abnormal problems or are not sure. Regular dental checkups allow early detection of abnormalities in the mouth. Smoking and a high alcohol intake will increase your risk of developing mouth cancer.

The Mouth Cancer Foundation

The Mouth Cancer Foundation is a registered charity that raises awareness of mouth cancers and provides information and support to patients, carers and health professionals.

Bad Breath

Bad breath is a very common problem and there are many different causes. 85% of bad breath originates in the mouth, most of which comes from the tongue. Tongue cleansing removes unwanted bacteria from the tongue’s surface and the tongue-coating that cause bad breath.

Persistent bad breadth is usually caused by the smelly gases released by the bacteria that coat your teeth and gum. However, strong foods like garlic and onions can add to the problem. Smoking is also one of the main causes of bad breath, along with certain illnesses such as nasal and stomach conditions. Bits of food that get caught between the teeth and on the tongue will rot and can sometimes cause an unpleasant smell. So correct and regular brushing is very important to keep your breath smelling fresh.

The bacteria on our teeth and gums (plaque) also cause gum disease and dental decay. If you see your dentist regularly this will not only help prevent bad breath but will also let the dentist look for and treat these problems.

Invisalign®

We offer the Invisalign® system - the world’s most advanced clear aligner system and an alternative to fixed braces.

As an adult, no matter what age you are, straightening your teeth can be life changing. Straighter teeth are easier to clean than crooked ones and gums fit more tightly around straight teeth. And of course, there’s the confidence boost that comes with straight teeth and a beautiful smile.

Dental Implants

Implants offer the best way for replacing teeth, whether you have lost one, several, or all of your teeth. The result looks and feels just like natural teeth without involving any other teeth and allows you to live, laugh and enjoy life with full confidence.

Tooth Coloured Fillings

The filling of choice for us is the white (composite) filling. White fillings are fillings for teeth that look natural and discreet. Given the opportunity to make a fully informed choice, our experience is that the vast majority of today’s dental patients will choose tooth coloured fillings.

Since they bond to the tooth, tooth-coloured fillings restore more of the original strength of the tooth. Silver weakens the teeth, making them more susceptible of breaking.

Tooth coloured fillings restore the natural appearance of the tooth and are mercury free as mercury is viewed by some as being toxic. They require less removal of tooth structure, especially with new cavities, as the size of the hole made for the filling can be dramatically smaller with tooth coloured fillings.

In some cases where a large filling is needed a porcelain filling maybe required instead. This is known as an inlay. When the outside of the tooth is damaged a crown maybe required. We always inform you of all your options, and ensure the best long-term option is explained.

Porcelain Veneers

A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain that we will bond to your tooth to give it a whole new appearance. It is just like a false finger nail. They are made out of porcelain and are used mainly for aesthetic reasons.

Veneers make teeth look natural and healthy, and because they are very thin and are held in place by a special strong bond (rather like super-glue) very little preparation of the tooth is needed.
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They are the most elegant and versatile way to improve your smile producing a natural result with both strength and beauty. They can change the colour, spacing, alignment, length or shape of your teeth, enhancing your smile with minimum adjustment to the tooth.

A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen to give the right colour to improve a single discoloured or stained tooth or to lighten front teeth (usually the upper ones) generally.

Veneers can also be used to close small gaps, when orthodontics (braces) is not suitable. If one tooth is slightly out of position, a veneer can sometimes be fitted to bring it into line with the others.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is becoming increasingly popular and one of the most commonly provided treatments. It can be the most conservative way to achieve a brighter smile making us look younger and healthier. Whiter teeth can make a great difference to how you see yourself and how others see you.

Teeth can become discoloured and yellow from ageing or stained from foods and drinks that we consume e.g. coffee, tea, red wine, soya sauce, berries, curries. Smoking further stains teeth and the natural bright, white shade becomes darkened. Whitening is the perfect procedure to rejuvenate your dental appearance without the need for expensive crowns and veneers. The degree of whiteness achieved will vary from patient to patient and with the type of bleaching process chosen.

Before carrying out the treatment, we will examine your teeth carefully to ensure they are suitable for whitening.  If they are, we will professional clean your teeth to remove any surface staining and scale.  This helps to improve the effectiveness of the treatment.

Home Whitening

A custom made mouth tray is created. A whitening gel is placed in the tray which you then wear whilst asleep or for short periods during the day. Results are normally seen over 2 weeks.

As the effect is cumulative, you are in control and can choose to stop wearing the mouth-guard when the desired result is obtained.

Experience has shown that the best results and those that last the longest are with a home whitening technique. It is important to remember that whilst the teeth will whiten dramatically with this technique, any existing dental work such as crowns and fillings (even white ones) will not change colour during the whitening process. This may mean utilising whitening techniques in combination with other procedures to create the best cosmetic outcome. We will assess this for you at your consultation and advise if you are suitable for this procedure.